208 Natural History of the 



not go so far. They are plentiful as far up as Rimouski, and are 

 caught abundantly, of large size, at Metis, where a considerable 

 fishing is done about five miles from land. To these upper limits 

 they follow the capelin in spring, but remain after they have dis- 

 appeared. 



M. ceglejinus, (The Haddock). — Taken with cod at all the fish- 

 ing stations, and a few are sold mixed up with them ; but when 

 sold separately they bring a much lower price. 



M. pruinosa, (The Tomcod). — Plentiful in the mouths of 

 rivers from the county of Rimouski upwards. This is the same 

 fish which is taken in such great abundance at Three Rivers 

 during the winter. 



Motella cimbria? (The Four-bearded Rockling). — One specimen 

 from Ste. Anne. This appears to be the first time the occurrence 

 of this species has been noted on this coast. 



Zoarcus viviparus, (The Viviparus Blenny). — A Blenny which 

 cannot be distinguished from this species, was caught in the dredge 

 in deep water off Marcouin, which is, I believe, the first time it has 

 been found in the Gulf. 



Hippoglossus vulgaris, (The Halibut). — These large fish ascend 

 the St Lawrence as far as Green Island, and are caught in con- 

 siderable numbers at all the fishing stations. I was informed that 

 they were sometimes caught between six and seven feet in length ; 

 but I never saw one quite so large, although they generally at- 

 tain a considerable size. 



Spinax acanthias, (Spinous Dog-fish). — At Les Islets I saw a 

 spinous shark, which, I have no doubt, from my notes, was this 

 species. It was a very large specimen, and was brought ashore 

 by some men, who caught it when fishing for cod. 



Raia radiata (Starry Ray). — Occasionally caught with codfish 

 at Ste. Anne. A hunter here cures the flesh of the starry ray, with 

 which he baits his traps in winter, and says that it is preferable to 

 any other for some animals. 



Salmo. — A fish of this genus, called by the Indians " Toag,' 

 and by the French Canadians "Touradi," exists in great numbers 

 in all the larger lakes, but are said never to be found in any of 

 the rivers. In the Metis Lakes they are said to be of the same 

 average size as the salmon, and are taken in winter by dropping 

 a line through a hole cut in the ice. A settler at Lake Metapedia 

 told us that he could spear enough of them in two nights to last 

 his family all winter. They are of a much darker colour than 



