604 REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OP PISH AND PISHERIES. 



differs from his description and figure in having the upper jaw longest, in having 

 the snout more pointed and less ohieular, etc. Judging from the descriptions, 

 without specimens for comparison, I should say that our fish differs as much from 

 either of the species referred to as they differ from each other, and that they either 

 constitute three distinct species or are all varieties of the same species. 



"The ling is held in very low estimation as an article of food, the flesh being tough 

 and the flavor unpleasant.. This fish is one of the greatest gormandizers found in 

 our waters. If he can procure food he will not desist from eating so long as there is 

 room for another particle in his capacious abdomen. He is frequently taken with 

 his abdomen so much distended with food as to give him the appearance of the globe 

 or toad-fish. The smallest of the three before me, when my description was made, 

 being 18 inches long, was so completely filled with the fishes swallowed that their 

 tails were plainly seen in its throat by looking into its mouth. On opening it I found 

 no less than 10 dace, L. pulchellus [Semolilus corporalis], all about the same size, and 

 none of them less than 4 inches long. Seven of these were entire, and appeared 

 as if just swallowed. Upon the others the digestive process had commenced." 



The ling is still found in Lake Champlain, but it is said not to occur in Lake 

 Meinphremagog. According to Mr. Titcomb, the cusk, which is common in the Con- 

 necticut River, is caught with hook and line, and in the winter by fishing through 

 the ice in the night, setting a number of lines and baiting with live bait. It will 

 take live minnows about sundown and from that time until sunrise. This method of 

 fishing is carried on by local fishermen at Lunenburg, Vt. It is also found in Wil- 

 loughby Lake. It spawns in March or April, and is regarded as a A-aluable food-fish. 



An unripe male ling was received from Missisquoi Bay through the kinduess of 

 Mr. A. L. Collins April 25. It was 14 inches long and weighed 1 pound. In its 

 stomach we found thirty individuals of the common darter of that lake — Boleosoma 

 nigrum olmstedi. Besides this number, which could be identified, there was a large 

 mass of material too badly digested to permit of certain identification, but which 

 probably represented still other darters. 



Family COTTIDiE. The Sculpins. 



52. Cottus gracilis boleoides (Girard). Blob; " ChucMehead." 



One specimen obtained in Sleeper River near St. Johnsbury, July 25. Mr. Titcomb 

 says it is common in that stream. It was not seen by us elsewheie, though it is 

 doubtless not rare throughout that portion of the State drained by the Connecticut. 



Mr. Titcomb says the "chucklekead" is found on both sides of the Green Moun- 

 tains aud is often used as bait for large trout by the patient fisherman. 



53. Cottus gracilis gobioides (Girard). Blob. 



This fish was originally described from specimens obtained in Lamoille River near 

 Johnson, Vt. Thompson has the following: 



"For the specimen here described I was indebted to the kindness of Mr. R. Col- 

 berth. He caught it Avhile fishing for trout iu a branch of the river Lamoille, in 

 Johnson. This fish usually lies still at the bottom, or concealed under the stones in 

 the streams, and seldom moves, except when disturbed, and then its motions are 

 sluggish and labored. It is called in some places the 'slow fish.' It probably derived 

 the name of 'star-gazer' from the favorable position of its eyes for looking upward, 

 they being placed very near the top of the head. It seldom exceeds 4 inches in 

 length." 



