The Food of Fishes. 37 



period, can probably be more readily maintained in large 

 numbers in our muddy streams than any other fish. 



It is evident that the increase of edible fishes without a 

 corresponding supply of food will be largely time and la- 

 l)or thrown awa3^ Prol)al)ly if protected from wanton 

 and ignorant destruction, the Dorysoma would abound suf- 

 ficiently, as it is enormously prolific. 



The following table is similar to that given for the pre- 

 ceding famil3\ The mark f is used to indicate the occur- 

 rence of an element in too small an amount to figure in the 

 ratios. 



