36 SMITHSONIAN MISCFXLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 63 



These rivers and lakes are well supplied with fishes, exceedingly 

 abundant in number, although representing but a few species. Of 

 chief interest and value among these are the trout which appear to 

 have found here the most advantageous conditions for growth and 

 development. At least 2 native species occur, Sahiio henshazin, the 

 large cut-throat which occasionally reaches a weight of over 20 11 )s.. 

 and 6". rcgalis, the royal silver trout, much smaller than the former, 

 but a most beautiful fish, remarkable for the brilliant silver of its 

 sides and the unparalleled blue of its dorsal surface. Formerly the 

 lakes and rivers of the region fairly swarmed with trout, and during 

 the spawning season they often entered the rivers in such numbers 

 that it was difficult for them to find room in the channels. Several 

 species of suckers and large minnows occur in countless numliers. 



I'll.. iS. Ilirci Island, Pyramid Lake. Photograph by Paine. 



i)\ these Chasiiiistes cujits, the Kouiewee of the Piute Indians, in- 

 habits only Pyramid and W'innemucca Pakes. It lives in their depths, 

 and is never seen until in the spring, when great schools suddenly ap- 

 pear at the mouth of the Truckee River, crowd up the channel and 

 cover the bars, often pushing each other out of the water in their 

 struggles to find room enough to deposit their eggs. Formerly this 

 was an occasion of rejoicing among the Indians, for here were num- 

 bers of large, fat fishes which only need be kicked out of the water 

 and hung on the bushes to dry. The Piutes still continue to cure them 

 in large quantities for winter food. A small white fish abounds in 

 favorable places. Some of the minnows reach a foot in length, bite 



