802 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The abundance of the salmon, however, is not their only peculiarity 

 in this wonderful river. They occur in greater variety also than in any 

 other known river of the world. 



While there is only one anadromous salmon in the Sacramento, one in 

 the Penobscot, one in the Miramichi, one in the Rhine, and one in the Brit- 

 ish rivers, there are said to be no less than twelve distinct varieties in the 

 Columbia. These in all their Protean forms, occasioned by differences 

 of age, season, and sex, have constituted a labyrinth which has always 

 been an invincible puzzle to naturalists. 



In the very brief time that I spent on the Columbia it was quite im- 

 possible to acquire anything like an exhaustive knowledge of the differ- 

 ent varieties in the river. I consequently confined myself chiefly to in- 

 quiries into the characteristics of the Chinook salmon {Salmo quinnat), 

 which I had an opportunity to see and study, and to gathering such in- 

 formation as I could regarding the other kinds, from the fishermen and 

 other salmon-experts of the river. 



The results of my investigation in regard to the iSalmo quinnat will 

 be found in the form of answers to Professor Baird's very valuable series 

 of questions relating to fishes. 



B— QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO THE FOOD-FISHES.— SALMO 



QUINNAT. 



1. — Name. 



Question. What is the name by which this fish is known in your 

 neighborhood ? If possible make an outline sketch for better identifi- 

 cation. 



Answer. This fish is known in the Columbia River as the ^' Chinook 

 salmon," the " Tyee salmon," and the "common salmon of the Colum- 

 bia." 



2.— Distribution. 



Question. Is it found throughout the year, or only during a certain 

 time; and for what time ? 



Answer. The Chinook salmon are not found in the main Columbia 

 throughout the year, but begin to enter the river in February and con- 

 tinue to run until some time in September. 



Question. If resident, is it more abundant at certain times of the year, 

 and at what times ? 



Answer. They are most abundant from April to August, the greatest 

 number making their appearance in the month of July. 



3. — Abundance. 



Question. How abundant is it, compared with other fish? 



Answer. They vastly exceed in abundance any other fish of the river. 



