154 The Pacific Salmons 



ages, gill-rakers, and other structural details, and 

 are not always readily distinguishable. In addi- 

 tion to the anatomical characters, there is a 

 fundamental physiological difference between the 

 Pacific salmons and the fish of the genus Salmo ; 

 the latter spawn several times, while the former 

 invariably die after once spawning. 



These fishes have been the subject of many 

 biological investigations on the part of the United 

 States Fish Commission, some of the most impor- 

 tant of which have only recently been com- 

 pleted ; and the general life history of the most 

 important species is now reasonably well known. 

 The records of that bureau have been freely used 

 in this account of the habits, distribution, cultiva- 

 tion, and commercial value of these fishes. 



The quinnat salmon {Oncorhyiichtis tschaiuy- 

 tschd) bears a number of other names in different 

 regions, such as chinook salmon, tyee, king sal- 

 mon, Columbia salmon, and Sacramento salmon. 

 The specific name w^ith which this fine fish is 

 encumbered is its Russian vernacular. The 

 euphonious Indian names, quinnat and chinook, 

 are those in most general use. The species may 

 be distinguished by its large size, robust form, 

 conical head, small eye, forked tail, numerous 



