EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Iv 



west of the Allegiianies; but the cost of the experiment was so trifling 

 compared with the benefits to result from a satisfactory sohition of the 

 question, that it was deemed best to make the trial. 



I have already referred to the discovery of shad in the Alabama 

 Kiver, whether the result^of Dr. Daniel's experiments already detailed 

 or not; and I am assured by 'reliable testimony that tbey are found at 

 the present time m other streams of Alabama. Of this I am well satis- 

 fied, having actually received a specimen from Mr. W. Peun Yonge, of 

 Spring Villa, Ala., taken at Elba, Ala., and preserved in alcohol, 

 and distinguishable in not the slightest particular from the shad 

 of the eastern coast. I bave also the assurance of Dr. Lawrence of their 

 capture at the Hot Springs of tl e Ouachita ; of Dr. Middleton Goldsmith, 

 at the falls of the Ohio, near Louisville, and of Dr. Turner in the 

 Wabash Eiver of Indiana and Illinois, and in the Neosho Eiver of 

 Kansas. (See pages 391 et seq.) 



I am not entirely satistied that all these cases refer to the true shad, as 

 there is a second species, found also on the eastern coast, known as the 

 Tailor or Fall shad, which, while attaining nearly the same size as the 

 true shad, is a totally distinct species, and very inferior bi value. There 

 seems, however, no reason why a young shad, hatched in the upper 

 waters of the Mississippi Valley, may not make its way to sea and return 

 again at the proper season. The distance to be traversed is probably a 

 matter of very little consequence, as in former times shad penetrated 

 to the very headwaters of the Atlantic streams, and exhibited no 

 particular evidence of exhaustion. Starting at the mouth of the Missis- 

 sippi, in the beginning of the year, and moving leisurely along, there 

 would be nothing to prevent shad from reaching the upper waters of 

 the rivers in the course of from two to four months' time. If they main- 

 tained enough vigor to deposit their eggs, the object would be accom- 

 })lished, even though they were to die from exhaustion immediately after. 



lu illustration of what is here said in reference to the distance from 

 the sea to which shad can penetrate, it may be remarked that among 

 the most highly-prized fishes of China is a species of shad known 

 among the European residents as the Samlai, which enters the Yang- 

 tze-Kiang and the adjacent waters in May, and is in season for about six- 

 teen weeks. By many persons it is considered to be even superior to 

 the American shad, since, whileof equally finellavor, it is larger and more 

 free from bones. According to the Chinese culinary authorities, shad 

 should be neither boiled nor fried, its flavor and nutritious qualities 

 being best i)reserved by being steamed, as is done by them with savory 

 vegetables. By cutting the fish in transverse slices, the inconveniince 

 of the bones is very greatly lessened. When first taken shod command 

 fabulous prices, and, according to Dr. MacGowan, it is only the Emperor 

 and the very highest ofhcials who can procure them on their first arrival. 

 They are then generally sold alive in tubs. 



Besides the use made of the shad in China for food, it is highly 



