HP:SSEL ON THE SALMON OF THE DANUBE. 163 



less SO than its cougeners of equal size, but is, I believe, decidedly sur- 

 passed ill voracity by Silurus glauis, the sheat-tisli, a kind of cat-flsli, 

 and the pike, Esox lucius. The daily eousuniption of food of the last- 

 mentioned species, according' to my own observations, amounts to one- 

 third of its own weight. The tS. hnclio has a bad name for voracity, 

 because it is not at all dainty; it preys on its own kind, catches 

 frogs and w^ater-fowl, and even does not refuse water-rats. But, after 

 all, it consumes, in proportion to its size, far less than the smallest 

 trout; and the mo.st reliable tishermen of the Danube agree with me in 

 the opinion that it is not as bad as reputed. True, it shows great energy 

 in inirsuit of food, but this occurs principally in winter-time when most 

 of the other tislies remain in their hiding-places and the river is covered 

 with ice. In such cases it frecpiently jumps high up the banks, where it 

 is easily killed. 



I have often examined the stomachs of these fish of different sizes, 

 and mostly found white-fish and frogs, sometimes salamanders [Triton 

 cnstatus,) and once even a ring-snake {Tropidonotus natrix). 



I believe that in the sluggish southern rivers of !N"orth America the 

 numerous sahimanders would serve as food, as the huclio loves to 

 hunt in bends of the river overgrown with cane, and shows great skill 

 in catching his prey. 



Several years ago some ichthyologist maintained that the liucho is 

 subject to a peculiar disease of the skin, of which he gave a description. 

 This is, however, a mistake, as I have ascertained by consulting many 

 of the fishermen of the Danube, and to my certain knowledge may 

 occur in any fish very frequently on the carp. It is a spongy excres- 

 cence originating where the skin had been injured or the scales rubbed 

 oif, and of fungus origin, the same mould, viz, Leptomitris clavatus, which 

 sometimes covers the eggs in breeding estal^lishments, especially in 

 winter-time, especially when dead animal matter had been allowed to 

 contaminate the water. 



The mode of catching the liucho differs greatly along the extended 

 banks of the Danube, and is influenced by the situation, depth, »&c., of 

 the river. In summer-time they are taken in nets, and smaller ones, up 

 to 6 pounds, with the fly, which, however, is refused by the older fish. 

 From October to their spawning-time, even during the coldest Avinter, and 

 under the ice, they are also to be taken with minnow-bait on ground- 

 hooks. IsTo other fish of the Danube besides the pike will take the 

 hook. 



No fish of the salmon tribe, the true salmon, Sahno salar, not excepted, 

 affords more sport to the angler than the hncho, especially before the river 

 becomes covered with ice, or when it breaks up in spring, and whether 

 small or large, from 1 pound up to CO, none takes the hook at this 

 season more readily. In rapids or other places, provided they are free 

 from ice, the fishing is always successful. I have frequently practiced 

 this mode of fishing in the Danube, from Linz to Galacz, and in its tribu- 



