42 CONTRIBUTIONS TO NORTH AMERICAN ICHTHYOLOGY 1, 



XXVI. Genus, RIBBON-FISH, SARCHIRUS, Sarchire. (p. 69.) 

 83d species, Ohio Ribbon-Fish, SARCHIRUS VITT ATUS, Sarchire rubanne. 



(p. 69.) 



Lepidosteus sp. (yoiiug). 



Description inaccurate. 



*- XXVII. Genus, PIKB. ESOX, Brochet. (p. 70.) 



t84th species, Streaked Pike, ESOX VITT ATUS, Brochet raye. (p. 70.) 



Thns far unrecognized. 

 i 85th species, Sa'mon-Pike, ESOX SALMONEUS, Erochet saumoune. (p. 71.) 



Esox kalmoneus liaf. 

 f Esox umbrosus Kirtland. 



Description probably second band and not very good. It is probably 

 Esox umbrosus, wliicb species abounds in the bayous of the Ohio, but 



* Body cylindrical or very loug, covered with small scales, veut posterior. One dor- 

 sal fiu behind the abdominal fins. Mouth large, jaws long and flattened, with very 

 btroug teeth ; opening of the gills very large. Head bony, scaleless. Tail not obliqual. 

 All the fina with rays. 



There are several species of Pikes in the Ohio, Mississippi, Wabash, Kentucky, &c. 

 I have not yet been able to observe tbem thorougbly. I have, however, procured cor- 

 rect accounts and iigures ot two species; but there are more. They appear to belong 

 to a peculiar subgenus distinguished by a long dorsal fin, a forked tail, aud the abilom- 

 inal hus anterior, being removed frjm the veut. It may be called PicortZ/jts. The 

 French settlers of the Wabash and Missouri call them Piconeau, and the American 

 settlers Pikes or Pickerels. They are permanent but rare fishes, retiriug, however, in 

 deep waters in winter. They prefer the large streams, are very voracious, aud grow 

 to a large size. They prey on all the other fishes except the Gar-fishes, «S:c. They are 

 easily taken with the hook, and afford a very good food, having a delicate flesh. 



t White, with two blackish longitudinal streaks on each side, back brownish ; jaws 

 nearly equal, very obtuse, eyes large and behind the mouth ; dorsal fins longitudinal 

 between the abdominal and anal fius ; tail forked. 



E. vittatus. Raf. in American Monthly Magazine 1818, volume 3, page 447. 

 This fish is rare in the Ohio (although it has been seen at Pittsburgh), but more 

 common in the Wabash and Upper Mississippi. It is called Ficoiieau or Picaneau by 

 the Canadians and Missouriaus. It I'eaches the length of from three to live feet. The 

 pectoral aud abdomiual fius are tiapezoidtil, the anal aud dorsal longitudinal with 

 many rays and nearly equal. It is sometimes called Jack or Jackfish. Lateral line 

 straight. 



t IVhlle,wifh many narrow transversal broicn hands, somewhat curved; jaws nearly equal, 

 very obtuse; dorsal fius brown, longitudinal and extending over the anal fins; tail 

 forked and brown. 



It is one of the best fishes in the Ohio; its flesh is very delicate, and divides easily, 

 as in Salmon, into large plates as white as snow. It is called Salmon Pike, White 

 Pike, White Jack or White Pickerel, and Ficanecu Mane by the Missouriaus. It has a 

 short and thick head, eyes not very large, aud situated upwards. Pectoral aud abdom- 

 inal fins trapezoidal. Dorsal fin beginuiug behind these last and extending over the 

 anal. The number of trauiversal bauds is twelve or more, rather distant, aud with 

 the concavity towards the head. It reaches the length of b feet. Lateral line nearly 

 straight. 



