HESSEL ON THE SALMOX OF THE DANUBE. 163 



less so than its congeners of equal size, but is, I believe, decidedly sur- 

 passed in voracity by Silnnis ghoiis, the slieat-fisli, a kind of cat-flsb, 

 and the pike, Esox lucins. The daily consutuption of food of the last- 

 mentioned species, according to my own observations, amounts to one- 

 third of its own weight. The 8. hucho has a bad name for voracity, 

 because it is not at all dainty; it preys on its own kind, catches 

 frogs and water-fowl, and even do^'s not refuse water-rats. But, after 

 all, it consumes, in proportion to its size, far less than the smallest 

 trout; and the most reliable lishermeu of the Danube agree with me iii 

 the opinion that it is not as bad as reputed. True, it shows great energy 

 in i>ursuit of food, but this occurs principally in winter-time when most 

 of the other fishes remain in their hiding-places and the river is covered 

 with ice. In such cases it frequently jumps high up the banks, where it 

 is easily killed. 



I have often examined the stomachs of these fish of different sizes, 

 and mostly found white-fish and frogs, sometimes salamanders {Triton 

 cristatus,) and once even a ring-snake {Troijidonotus natrix). 



I believe that in the sluggish southern rivers of Xorth America the 

 numerous salamanders would servis as food, as the huclio loves to 

 hunt in bends of the river overgrown with cane, and shows great skill 

 in catching his prey. 



Several years ago some ichthyologist maintained that the Imclio is 

 subject to a peculiar disease of the skin, of which he gave a description. 

 This is, however, a mistake, as I have ascertained by consulting many 

 of the fishermen of the Danube, and to my certain knowledge may 

 occur in any fish very frequently on the carp. It is a spongy excres- 

 cence originating where the skin had been injured or the scales^ibbed 

 oft', and of fungus origin, the same mould, viz, Leptomitris clavaUis, which 

 sometimes covers the eggs in breeding establishments, especially in 

 winter-time, especially when dead animal matter had been allowed to 

 contaminate the water. 



The mode of catching the hucho differs greatly along the extended 

 banks of the Danube, and is influenced by the situation, depth, &c., of 

 the river. In summer-time they are taken in nets, and smaller ones, up 

 to 6 pounds, with the fly, which, however, is refused by the older fish. 

 From October to their spawning-time, even during the coldest winter, and 

 under the ice, they are also to be taken with minnow-bait on ground- 

 hooks. Ko other fish of the Danube besides the pike wiU take the 

 hook. 



i?^o fish of the salmon tribe, the true salmon, Scdmo saJar, not excepted, 

 affords more sport to the angler than the hucho, especially before the river 

 becomes covered with ice, or when it breaks up in spring, and whether 

 small or large, from 1 pound up to CO, none takes the hook at this 

 season more readily. In rapids or other places, provided they are free 

 from ice, the fishing is always successful. I have frequently practiced 

 this mode of fishing in the Danube, from Linz to Galacz, and in its tribu- 



