XXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



t 



salmoii-net which had been sent for. Mr. Stone had been assnred that 



there woukl be no difficulty in secnring aid from the Indians, which, 

 however, he found to be entirely impossible. 



We do not know enough of the natural history of the Salmon'uhe of 

 the West to decide as to the relationship of the Sacramento salmon 

 to those of the waters farther nortli, especially of the Columbia and 

 Frazer Rivers. Dr. Suckle^^ and others are, however, of the opinion that 

 the same species extends from California to Alaska ; but that, while there 

 are additional species in the northern waters, only one inhabits the Sac- 

 ramento. Its tlesh is much more highly colored than tliat of the east- 

 ern salmon, being almost of a dark-red, and its flavor is said to be 

 fully equal, if not superior; although about this there is a great diver- 

 sity of opinion. In its proportions it ditfers, being shorter and thicker, 

 so that one of them weighs considerably more than a fish of the sauie 

 length taken from the East. Further considerations as to its value and 

 adaptability to eastern waters will be found farther on. 



13. — PROPAGATION OF WHITE-FISH IN 1872. 



The white-fish breeding was begun in the fall of 1872. Over half a 

 million of eggs were placed in the troughs of Mr. N. VV. Clark, an 

 experienced breeder of ClarksLon, Mich. These were obtained at 

 Ecorse, on the Detroit liiver, through tlie liberality of Mr. George Clark 

 of that place, with but little expense. On the 2()th of January, 1873, 

 about 200,000 eggs, partially developed, were shipped to the fish-commis- 

 sioners of California, but did notarriv^e in good condition, having either 

 smothered from the thick bed of sawdust in which the case containing 

 them was placed or been killed by the excessive cold. A second lot 

 of one-half the number was shipped to the same destination with excel- 

 lent success. These were placed by the commissioners in a hatching- 

 house provided for their reception, and the young fish soon after were 

 l)ut into the waters ot Clear Lake. 



The white-fisli is of great value, because of the excellent flavor of 

 the flesh, both fresh and salted, its fecundity, and the fact that it feeds 

 on Crustacea and other invertebrate forms. It is adapted to the larger 

 and cooler lake^ of the interior, and like the rest of the salmonoids is 

 easily propagated artificially. 



14. — PROPAGATION OF SHAD IN 1873. 



As shown in the first part of the present report, the shad-hatching 

 season was so far advanced at the time of the passage of the act making 

 an appropriation for the service in 1872 that little could be done. The 

 appropriation itself w^as not aviiilable until the 1st of July ; and as 

 the appropriation bill containing the item was passed just before the 

 adjournment of Congress, on the 10th of June, it was necessary to make 

 sure that the item was included therein before taking any measures 

 that might involve any expense. An acceunt of the work actually ac- 

 complished in 1872 is given on p. xvi. 



