38 



burrow is the barbels which are in constant motion. It falls at this 

 time an easy prey to the spear, and to many prowling animals. I find 

 some six other species of this genus described, and I am inclined to 

 think that two at least of them (A. Pullus) the brown, and {A. natalis) 

 the black catfish, exist in the waters round here. 



The Chub Sucker [Erimyzon ^ucetta) or small chub, is common in 

 rapid dashing streams especially in the south side ol the Ottawa, and in 

 the early spring is abundant in the waste water stream from Hart- 

 well's Locks, and in many of our small rapid streams. It is 

 very different from the fish ordinarily known in our rivers as the 

 chub, which will be mentioned presently, and which is really the Itoach- 

 dace. The long finned Sucker (Cmyiodes Cyprinus) seems to be a 

 connecting link between the cluib and sucker family resembling both, 

 and is not uncommon. 



Of the Sucker family several species frequent our waters here. The 

 common sucker (Catasiomus Commersoni) attains a weight of from 3 to 

 4 lbs., but its flesh is soft. It is one of the first fish that can be caught 

 in spring. The rock Sucker* (a variety) has a firm flesh, and is freer from 

 small bones. It'is found in the shallows of the Rideau and Ottawa and 

 in the Gatineau,'and attains a weight of 5 or 6 lbs. The pale Sucker* 

 (a variety) runs u)) the sluggish streams from the larger rivers as 

 soon as the thaw sets in in spring, but is insipid. The long nosed 

 Sucker, (C. Longirostris) is a smaller fish seldom exceeding 5 or G inches, 

 frequenting the smaller streams, and is sometimes called the brook- 

 sucker.* It is very^useful in an aquarium, where it acts as a scavenger, 

 clearing up ihe^^refuse of other fish. A cui-ious habit it possesses is 

 drawing in by suction a small portion of fine clean sand from the bottom, 

 and transporti'ng it to another part of the aquarium where it deposits 

 it by blowing it out and then returning for more. The horned Sucker 

 (a variety) is found^|in^our rivers, but is not so abundant as the 

 other species. It has a number of tubercles on its head (hence its 

 name) the use ofj,which is not apparant, but which are thought to be 

 merely a sexual distinction. The large scaled Sucker (3Ioxoslonia 

 Macrolepidotum)is taken in the Ottawa,[and attains a weight of 7 or 8 lbs. 



TLese are local 'names. 



