No. 5. 



RErORT UPON THE FISHES COLLECTED ON THE SURVEY. 



BY DR. G. SUCKLEY, U. S. A. 



CHAPTER I. 



REPORT UPON THE SALMONIME. 



As the salmon family holds the strongest position in economical importance among the fishes 

 of the northwest, the first portion of this report is devoted to the consideration of that group. 

 The second division contains brief descriptions and notes of the other kinds of fishes found along 

 the line of the survey. Those obtained east of the Rocky mountains are simply alluded to by 

 the names given in the General Report on Fishes, Vol. X Pacific Railroad Reports, with refer- 

 ence to the pages in which descriptions more in detail can be found. The fishes obtained from 

 the region west of those mountains have brief scientific descriptions added, in order that they 

 may be readily identified by students or future explorers in those Territories. This was 

 deemed necessary on account of the great confusion existing among settlers regarding the 

 common names applied to the fish, many of which, although widely distmct from each other, 

 are known by the same names to diS"erent persons. 



The notes and memoranda furnished by Dr. James G. Cooper, surgeon and naturalist to the 

 western division of the survey, have been incorporated over his initials. Credit is given in 

 their appropriate connexions for information derived from other persons. 



The fisheries of Washington Territory will, at an early day, be considered of great import- 

 ance to our commerce. The various kinds of salmon form the bulk of the valuable fishes there 

 found, but there are, in addition, many others which, although not so numerous, are yet abun- 

 dant and of fair relative commercial value. Among these are the cod, found in moderate 

 quantity in Puget Sound, and said to be very abundant on a deep bar or bank oft" the mouth 

 of the Straits of Fuca; the halibnf, found in the same situations; the eulacJion, a very delicious 

 fish, in some years coming in great shoals in the bays in the lower part of Puget Sound, and 

 along the coast near the mouth of Frazer's river; the herring arriving in vast quantities in the 

 same waters at regular periods, besides a vast number of good table fish, such as sole, flounders, 

 the so-called "rock-rod," viviparous perch, &c., &c., which, although not valuable for trade, 

 are useful additions to the fare of the inhabitants.* 



Several points on the Columbia river are most excellent locations for the taking of salmon 

 and the establishment of "packing" houses. These are generally at the greater falls and 

 rapids. The best fish are there taken in the spring and early summer months. Salmon of 

 different kinds are taken at other seasons. The species of salmon which is principally used for 



A trade in oysteis has long been carried on between Shoalwater bay and San Francisco, and will, if properly conducted, 

 undoubtedly prove profitable. 



