CHAPTER XV 



BONT PIKE, BOTF-FIN, STURGEON, REED-FISH, AND BICHIR 



BV W. P. FVCRAFT, A.L.S., F.Z.S. 



^ W ^HE present chapter deals with the remaining forms belonging to that great assemblage 

 I of fishes known as the Bony-mouthed group, which includes all the members of the 

 JL class save the Lung-fishes on the one hand and the Shark Tribe on the other. 



This great assemblage, as we have already remarked, is divided into two sections — the 

 Fan- and Fringe-finned Fishes. The fishes presently to be described belong partly to the one 

 and partly to the other of these divisions, and were at one time, together with the Lung-fishes, 

 regarded as nearly allied, and as forming but a single group, which, on account of the structure 

 of the scales, was known as the Enamel-scaled group. 



The Bony Pike, the Bow-fin, and the Sturgeon are the last of the Fan-finned Ushes. 



The Bony Pike, or Gar-pike, is an inliabitant of the fresh-waters of North America, and 

 has the most completely ossified skeleton and the most perfectly jointed backbone of all the 

 fishes, whilst externally it is covered with a complete armour of thick, quadrangular scales 

 coated with enamel. Three distinct species of this family are known, all of which are of 

 large size, attaining a length of 6 feet. They are carnivorous in their habits, l,ving in wait 

 among the reeds, and rushing out to seize their prey as soon as within range. In the 

 Mississippi, great lakes, and rivers of South Carolina bony pike are especially abundant, 

 occurring at times in such numbers as to fill the shad-nets and render the fishery for many 

 days impossible. The larger members are said to be as aggressive as sharks, and remarkably 

 tenacious of life. 



The geographical distribution of the Bow-fin closely corresponds with that of the bon_\- pike. 

 It is an extremely common fish, and, though worthless for food purposes, has yet been deemed 

 worthy of a number of different names, such as Grindle, DOG-Fisii, S.AWYER, MUD-Fisii, and 

 Lawyer-fish. At one time it was regarded as a near ally of the Herring Tribe, but modern 

 research has shown this view to be erroneous. The bow-fin attains a length of about 2 feet, 

 and is verj' voracious, preying both upon other fishes and aquatic insects and shrimps. It has 

 a habit of coming frequently to the surface to breathe, especialls^ when the water is foul, 

 taking in large mouthfuls of air. When near the surface, it is said to utter a bell-like note. 



Phata bj A. S. RudUnd S' Son 



Pbalt, hj S.hoLuli, Photo (...] 



BONY PIKE 



One of the tery few iur-vi'Vors vj the aiment group oj E"amel-;-:jUd hijiei 

 .'64 



I Panon^! (.roup 



