156 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



" On the same page you quote from Dr, DeKay that this trout has the 

 ' coarseness of the halibut without its flavor,' and subsequently assert 

 as your own opinion ' that this is the most worthless of all the non- migra- 

 tory species.' I think that you are mistaken; my reasons, presentl3^ 

 On page 274 to 276, you also use the following expressions. ' These 

 great, bad, and unsporting fish,' &g., ' with a ballet at the end of two 

 hundred yards of line, run rapidly through the water.' ' He is very in- 

 different eating.' I disagree with you. 'Every man to his taste.' 

 ' What's one man's meat is another man's poison.' I prefer a lake-trout 

 to the best brook-trout — don't langh! If it be 'very indifferent eating,' 

 then I am easily pleased, and every person with whom I have spoken on 

 the subject are no judges of fish-flesh." 



40. SALMO SISCOWET, Agassiz. 



THE SISCOWET, OR SISKAWITZ. 



Syn. — Sahno siscowet, Agassiz, Lake Siii>erior, p. 333, Bost., 1850. PL i, fig. 3. 

 Sahno slskmcitz, Herbert, Fist and Fisting, Snpi>l., p. 17. 



Sp. Ch. — (Condensed from Agassiz's description.) Form stout, broad, 

 thick. At the anterior ray of dorsal the height is equal to one-fifth the 

 total length of the body. Middle part of the body rather cylindrical. 

 Peduncle of tail dilated and subquadrangular. Head large, forming 

 nearly one-fourth of the total length, excluding lobe§ of the caudal. 

 Snout obtuse and rounded ; several teeth on the anterior part of the 

 vomer, then a row on the middle of its shaft. Two rows of very curved 

 teeth on the tongue. Fins strong; dorsal higher than it is long. Scales 

 small ; larger on the lower region of body, behind the veutrals. Accord- 

 ing to Agassiz, the young are barred with dark, vertical patches, as is 

 the case with the young of nearly all salmon and trout. 



Br. 13 : D. 12 : A. 12-14 : C. 6, 1, 9, 8, 1, 5 : Y. 9: P. 14. 



Colors. — These vary according to their feediu g-grouud, and are brighter 

 during the breeding season. 



Diagnosis. — From ^S*. namai/cusli it can be recognized by its different 

 opercular apparatus. (See Agassiz's description in his "Lake Superior," 

 &c.) Also by the dorsal fin, which is higher than it is long, occupying 

 the middle of the back. Caudal much less furcate. Muzzle more round. 

 Ventral fins not placed so far posteriorly. 



Hab. — Lake Superior, especially along the north shore. 



Professor Agassiz says that the siscowet is a rich, highly-flavored 

 fish, but too fat. This renders its ijreservation in alcohol very difficult. 

 He obtained his specimens from Michipicoten, the same place from 

 whence Mr. George Baruston sent the only specimens that are con- 

 tained in the Smithsonian collection — four in number. The heads of 

 these fish are smaller than those described by Professor Agassiz, but in 

 other respects tliey agree with his description. 



Mr. Barnston, in a letter, speaks of the existence there of another kind 



