84 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



Habitat: Clear, swift, fresh-water streams where the temperature does 

 not exceed 68°. 



Reproduction: Eggs are one-fifth inch in diameter, varying in color from 

 pale lemon to orange red. The spawning season varies with the tem- 

 perature of the water, but usually takes place from the last of September 

 to December. Eggs are deposited in cavities made in the gravel and 

 covered with pebbles. Period of hatching ranges from .32 days in water 

 of 54° to 165 days in water of 37°. Yolk sac absorbed in 30 to 80 days. 

 (Bean, loc. cit., p. 274; Brice, Report U. S. Fish Com. XXIII, 1897, 91.) 



Food: Carnivorous. Feeds on nearly any small living creature, including 

 insects, other small invertebrates, small fishes, its own eggs and young, 

 tadpoles, water newts, etc. 



Size: Maximum eighteen inches, but average between eight and twelve 

 inches. 



ARGENTINID^. The Smelts. 

 49. Osmerus inordax (Mitchill). Smelt. 



Geog. Dist.: The Atlantic coast, Virginia to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



Season in R. I.: Present throughout the year, but most abundant in 

 March and April, especially at Narrow River where a commercial 

 fishery of considerable importance exists. Abundant in Warren and 

 Pawtuxet Rivers; also in the streams emptying into the salt water 

 between Narrow River and Watch Hill. A few specimens taken in the 

 seine throughout the summer and early fall on sandy shores in the 

 vicinity of Wickford. July 17, 1906, six specimens about 6 inches long 

 (150 mm.) seined at Cornelius Point. August 20, 1908, three specimens 

 about 5+ inches long (140 mm., 135 mm., and 130 mm.) seined at 

 Cornelius Point. They were unusually common in 1909, several being 

 taken frequently in the seine from July to September. 



Reproduction: Spawns in February and March, in fresh-water streams 

 and brooks. The eggs are 1-20 inch in diameter and adhere to stones, 

 twigs, etc., on the bottom (Brice, 1897). 



According to Ehrenbaum, the eggs are .9 mm. in diameter, contain 

 numerous oil globules, and the period of incubation is four or five weeks. 

 The newly hatched larva is one-quarter inch long (5.5 to 6 mm.). 



Food : Shrimp and other small Crustacea. 



Size: Maximum, 14 inches. 



References: 



1886 

 1897 

 1909 



Cunningham, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, 33, 98. 

 Brice, Report U. S. Fish Comm. XXIII, 188. 

 Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 343. 



