70 



six to twelve inches. Vulgar names Ribbonfi&h and Carfisk." 

 Not used as food. Abdominal fins narrow almost linear acute^ 

 and with two transverse black bands, situated halfway between 

 the pectoral and anal fins. This last far from the tail. 

 XXVII Genus, Pike. Esgx. Brochet. 

 Body cylindrical or very long covered with small scales, venti 

 posterior. One dorsal fin behind the abdominal fins. Mouth 

 large, jaws long and flattened with very strong teeth: opening 

 of the gills very large. Head bony scaleless. Tail not obli- 

 qual. All the fins with rays. 



There are several species of Pikes in the Ohio, Mississippi^ 

 Wabash, Kentucky, &c. I have not yet been able to observe 

 fthem thoroughly. I have however procured correct accountSj 

 and figures of two species; but there are more. They appear 

 to belong to a peculiar subgenus distinguished by a long dorsal 

 fin, a forked tail, and the abdominal fins anterior, being remov- 

 ed from the vent. It may be called Picorellus. The French 

 settlers of the Wabash and Missouri call them Piconeau, and 

 the American settlers Pikes or Pickerels. They are perma- 

 nent but rare fishes, retiring however in deep waters in wiHter. 

 They prefer thelarg* streams^ are very voracious, and grow t« 

 9. large size. They prey on all the other fishes except the Gar- 

 fishes, Sec. They *re easily taken with the hook, and afford ft 

 xery good food, having a delicate flesh. 



S4th Species. Streaked Pikk. Esoj^ vittatu^. Brochet" 

 ray©. 



White, with two blackish longitudinal streaks on each side,' 

 back brownism: jaws nearly equal, very obtuse, eyes large and 

 behind the mouth: dorsal fias longitudinal between the abdomi- 

 nal and anal fins, tail forked. 



E.vittatus. Raf. In American Monthly Magazine, 181C 

 Volume 3, page 447. 



This fish is rare in the Ohio, (although it has been seen at- 

 Pittsburgh,) but more common in the Wabash and Upper Mis- 

 sissippi. It is called Piconeau or Picaneau by the Canadians 

 and Missourians. It reaches the length of from three to fiv* 

 feet. The pectoral and abdominal fins are trapezoidal, the anal 

 and dorsal longitudinal with many rays and Bearly equal. It i^^ 



