88 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



long and weighing from 3:^ to (> pounds apiece. Whether two distinct 

 species are here represented or not is an unsettled question. The 

 larger form agrees with the blueback salmon caught in such great 

 numbers in the lower Columbia River, and is doubtless the same fish. 

 Individuals corresponding to the smaller form, however, have never 

 been taken in the lower Columbia, and some maintain that it rei^resents 

 a landlocked variety which does not ascend from the sea. The absence 

 of imi^ortant structural differences and our ])resent knowledge of the 

 habits of the two forms render doubtful the correctness of this opinion, 

 and further study is required to determine the matter satisfactorily. 



The bulk of the fish caught in connection with the extensive fisheries 

 of the lower Columbia Kiver is made up of the three species of salmon 

 above referred to. The important questions which have been raised 

 in respect to their decrease and the necessity for active measures to 

 secure the maintenance of the sui)ply of each have stimulated the 

 comprehensive and detailed observations which have been carried on 

 during the past three years. Substantial progress has been made 

 toward determining the movements of the several forms throughout 

 the basin, their general habits, and times and idaces of their spawning, 

 information necessary as a firm foundation for legislative action on fish- 

 cultural operations; but the wide extent of this river system precludes 

 the early completion of the work. It is proposed to continue the 

 investigation until more decisive results have been accomplished. 



ARKANSAS. 



During August, 1894, Prof. Seth E. Meek, of the Arkansas Industrial 

 University, sjjent a short time in the service of the Fish Commission 

 making a study of the fishes of the St. Francis River, in northeastern 

 Arkansas. This river was remarkably rich in fish life as regards the 

 number, both of species and of individuals. A total of 61 species was 

 obtained, including no fewer than 20 important food varieties. In his 

 report upon the investigation,* Professor Meek states: 



It was a comparatively easy matter, with a collecting seine, to catch pickerel and 

 black bass weighing from 1 to 3 pounds. The water Avas quite clear, and large 

 gars, bufl'alo, pickerel, black bass, and suufishes could be seen in abundance. The 

 usual method of catching black bass (the favorite food-fish) was trolling. The parts of 

 two days I spent on Old River I saw many black bass taken this way. Two men would 

 be out one or two hours and return with a dozen or more black bass weighing from 2 

 to 5 pounds. In all of my collecting I have never seen another stream that seemed 

 to contain the enormous amount of fish life found in Old and St. Francis rivers. 



THE GREAT LAKES. 



Extensive investigations were carried on during the season of 1894 

 throughout the entire (;hain of the Great Lakes, excei)t Lake Michigan, 

 and also on the Lake of the Woods, as explained in connection with the 

 work of the Joint Fisheries Commission. 



* A list of fishes and iiiollusks collected in Arkansas and Indian Territorv in 1894 

 bv Seth Eugene Meek. Bull. U. S. Fish. Coram., xv, 1895, pp. 341-349, 



