278 AMERICAN FISHES. 



they are usually arrayed in net-work, or in such manner as to produce a 

 " marbled " effect.* It has been called the " Hump-back Pickerel," and is 

 of little value for food. 



The common names of this group of fishes offer an opportunity for much 

 curious research. The oldest name in literature is the Latin "Lucius," 

 by which it was doubtless known to the gourmets of classic times, 

 which was mentioned by the poet Ausonius, in the fourth century, f and 

 which lingered in the old French " Lus " and the names " Luccio " or 

 " Luggo " by which Italians still know the species. 



Although it is customarily stated that the Pike was unknown to the 

 ancient Greeks, I see no reason to doubt that this is the fish which Athen- 

 seus, sixteen centuries ago, called Lycus, just as the Germans of to-day 

 name it in familiar phrases the " Wasserwolf " (Water Wolf). Another 

 vestige of this name, is the English "Luce," commonly applied to large 

 individuals in the days of Chaucer,;}: and not unfamiliar in later days, 

 because of the extensive use of the fishes under this name as one of the 

 symbols of heraldry. Shakespeare has immortalized the arms as well as 

 the name of the name of the country squire, whom he hated, in his 

 allusion to the escutcheon of the Lucys, and the blood-thirsty Sir Lucius 

 O' Trigger in Sheridan's " Rivals," doubtless owed his prsenomen to the 

 savage Esox. 



The name Pike, the philologist says, has been given to this fish, either 

 from the likeness of its nose to a pike or spear, or because it moves itself 



* Since it is by no means a simple matter to discriminate between these species, especially when young, 

 I depart from my usual custom, and present a key, in which some technical terms are used. This table is 

 based upon Jordan's diagnosis. 



Cheeks and opercula completely covered with scales. 



Branchiostegals, 12 in number. Colors obscure. About 105 scales in lateral line. 

 Diameter of eye contained 5 times in length of head, and 



neaily twice in snout, its posterior margin scarcely behind middle of head. E.americixnus. 

 Diameter of eye 6 in length of head, and less 

 than B in that of snout, the eye being exactly in 

 middle of head. E. verviictilatns. 



Branchiostegals 14-16. About 125 scales in lateral 

 - Diameter of eye, 8 in that of head, 3}^ 



in snout. Snout prolonged, nearly half the length 

 of the head. Colors bright, markings reticulate. 

 E. reticii/attis. 

 Cheeks scaly, lower half of opercula bare. Branchiostegals 14-16 

 Color : — light spots on a dark ground. E. iiccius 

 Lateral line 123. 

 Lower half of cheeks and opercula bare. Branchiostegals 16-19. 

 Color ; — Black spots on lighter ground. E. nobilior. 

 Lateral line 150. 



f Lucius obscurus ulva caenoque lacunas 

 Obsidet: Hie nuUos mensarum lectus ad usas 

 Fervet fumosis olido nidore popinis. Moselle, 120-124. 



J Full many a fat partricke had he in mewe. 

 And many a Breme and many a Luce in stewe. Canterbury Tales. 



