178 FEOGS, TOADS AND SOME FKESH-WATER FISH. 



In the mountain streams, occurs a small fish related to the minnow 

 (Fhroxinus sp.). Where there are good pennanent streams this species 

 attains a length of six or seven inches. It is very good eating, when 

 served up as white-bait, and in some places occurs in great numbers. 



Another inhabitant of the mountain streams is the little loach 

 (Cohitis tinia). Ihere can be no doubt that this fish can survive pro- 

 tracted periods of drought, when all the mountain streams in which it 

 lives dry up. How it does this is not known, but it probably buries 

 itself deep down in the mud or sand and undergoes a process of 

 suspended animation. Be that as it may, when the rains come, refil- 

 ling the streams which have been perfectly dry for so long, this little 

 fish appears almost immediately. 



The Loach (Cohitis ti^iia). 



Another species is the giant loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), 

 which, however, is found more in the permanent streams, and also 

 occurs in the large rivers and marshes. This is very much more eel- 

 like than the smaller species. 



Though the pike (Esox) does not occur in Chinese waters, a species 

 is very common in the streams and rivers of Manchuria, which find 

 their way intoi the sea on the east side of Corea. There it is known t'o 

 the Chinese as "kou-yu" (dog fish). 



Salanx cMnensis, a small transparent smelt-like fish occuring 

 IN the Chihli Estuaries. 



Elopicthys dauricus, a very large fish not unlike the salmon, 

 occurs in the Yellow River, and in some of the larger rivers of Chihli, 



