FOOD OF YOUNG WINTER FLOUNDERS.' 
sy Epwin Linton, 
Temporary Investigator, U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. 
Contribution from the U. S. Fisheries Biological Station, Woods Hole, Mass. 
In connection with work on the parasites of fishes it has been the 
author’s practice to keep a record of the food of the fishes which were 
being examined for Entozoa. Such miscellaneous data, while not 
without value, are lacking in that definiteness which is afforded by 
uantitative studies. It was therefore suggested by the Bureau of 
Hslienies that an intensive study of the food of one or two families 
or groups of fishes, preferably those of economic importance, be 
undertaken. ! 
During the summers of 1915 and 1916 the author spent a part of 
his time in the examination of small winter flounders (Pseudopleuro- 
nectes americanus) for their food. The fish were seined by Vinal N. 
Edwards at 36 stations at Woods Hole, Mass., and vicinity, on dates 
ranging from May 2 to November 2. The total number of fish 
examined was 398. 
Fishes collected in the months of May, June, September, October, 
and November were preserved in formaldehyde and examined in 
the summer of 1916. Fish seined in July and August were brought 
to the laboratory soon after they were taken from the water. If 
taken at some distance from the laboratory, they were placed in a 
strong preservative as soon as they were taken from the water. At 
first the smaller fish were preserved entire in 95 per cent alcohol, 
after opening the abdominal cavity. The viscera of the larger fish 
were removed and kept in dishes of formaldehyde. It was soon 
found that the formaldehyde material was the more satisfactory for 
study, and, when well washed in water, could be looked over without 
discomfort. In each case the alimentary canal was opened through- 
out its entire length and examined in alcohol or water. The material 
was separated with the aid of a dissecting lens, the compound micro- 
scope being used when necessary for the identification of material. 
Quantitative estimates were then made, using the smallest lot as a 
unit. 
It often happens that much of the contents of the alimentary 
canal of the fish does not admit of satisfactory separation into distinct 
lots, even when its general character is more or less identifiable. 
For example, in cases where annelids, having much sand in their 
intestines, have been eaten, what at first appeared to be a mass of 
1 Appendix IV to the U.S. Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries for 1921. B.F. Doc. 907. 
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