40 Fish Culturists' Association. 



condition that is acquired by them when they approach the shore 

 later in the season. 



The presiding officer, upon the conclusion of the remarks of 

 Dr. Warder, invited further discussion upon topics incident to 

 fish culture, and suggested, as one appropriate subject, the 

 peculiarities of black bass, particularly as to its alleged preda- 

 tory instincts. 



Mr. Frederick Mather objected to black bass, as he believed 

 that they were disposed to prey upon other fish. 



Dr. Warder of Ohio noticed the disappearance of the mas- 

 kinonge and pike in Lake Erie. At points where at one time 

 there were caught pike weighing from fifty to seventy-five 

 pounds, there are now but few left, and those few are quite 

 small. 



Dr. James W. Milner of Washington, 1). C, remarked: 



In reference to the pike family, Esocidce, the common names 

 of the various species are habitually confused. The pike of the 

 great lakes and West, are often called pickerel. In Lake Erie, 

 the wall-eyed pike, Lucioperca Americana, pickerel ; while they 

 were far removed, in their zoological relations, from the true 

 pickerel, Esox reticulatus, found only on the eastern side of the 

 Alleghanies. The lake-pike is of the same genus, but are an 

 entirely and well-marked seperate species. The muskellunge 

 is also separate from either of these. Other species are known. 

 These three are to be distingushed as follows: the pickerel, 

 Esox reticulatus, is distinguished by having scales over the entire 

 cheek and operculum, and being marked on the body by reticu- 

 lated, brown lines like the meshes of a net. The lake-pike, Esox 

 estor or E. lucins, has the cheek covered with scales, but the lower 

 portion of the operculum and the sub-operculum is naked ; the 



