LAMPREYS AND FISHES OF INDIANA. . 241 



Lucius lucius (Linn.). 



Pike. 



Esox lucius, Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, (S', 353; Jordan, 1884, 12, 461 

 pi. 183 ; Meek and Newland, 1885, 1, 372 (synonomy). 



This species diiiers from the preceding in having the lower portion, 

 about half, of the opercles bare of scales. There are also fourteen to 

 sixteen branchiostegals, instead of eleven to thirteen. Like the preced- 

 ing, the eye is placed in the middle of the length of the head. There is 

 a larger number of scales along the lateral line, one hundred and twenty- 

 live, instead of about one hundred and five. Dorsal rays seventeen ; 

 anal rays fourteen. The color is olive or bluish, with numerous pale 

 spots about the size of the eye. These are sometimes arranged in some- 

 what irregular rows, and in the young they may coalesce. The length 

 may become as great as four feet, but this size is unusual. This species 

 has a wide distribution, being found in the waters of Europe, North Asia 

 and North America. In our country it is not known south of the Ohio 

 River. St. Joseph's River (7, '77, 44); Wabash River, at New Har- 

 mony (1, '85, 373); Lake Michigan (1, '85, 373); Eel River Basin 

 (4, '94, 38); Wabash County {2.^, '93, 95). 



The habits of the pike are approximately those of its congeners. It is 

 active, fierce and extremely voracious. For much interesting informa- 

 tion concerning its size, age attained, habits, superstitions regarding it, 

 and the methods employed in its capture, the reader may see Pennell's 

 "Book of the Pike." This author states that the pike will eat almost 

 anything. "Fish, flesh and fowl are alike acceptable to him ; animal, 

 mineral and vegetable— his charity embraces them all." They even do 

 not hesitate to swallow weaker members of th^r own species. As to the 

 edible (jualities of the fish, there appears, according to this author, a 

 good deal of difference of opinion. A few authorities have regarded it 

 as among the poorest and coarsest of fishes. Others regard them highly. 

 Much probably depends on the individual peculiarities of the fish, the 

 kind of food it has eaten, the nature of the waters inhabited, etc. The 

 unfavorable opinion held by some of the writers does not appear to be 

 shared by the people of this country. So far as I have been able to 

 learn, the pike is regarded in the markets of Chicago as an excellent fish. 



Forbes (14, No. 2, 18) found the food of this fish to consist wholly of 

 other fishes, many of the victims being species having spiny rays. 



The eggs are deposited during the winter and early spring. 



16 — Geology. 



