Miles. — Defense of the Dogfish 59 



who are familiar with salt water fish know, the dog fish proper is a 

 type of small shark ; and this inland water fish ought to be called the 

 bow-fin, or some other suitable name, because it has absolutely no 

 relationship or likeness what ever to the marine dogfish. 



There is no reason why a bow-fin should not be perfectly good to 

 eat, and there has been sufficient testimony on that point, I believe; 

 yet I confirm all that has been said in regard to it. 



I want to add one word also with reference to the mud puppy, 

 so-called, which is another instance of an animal being condemned on 

 account of its name, or possibly on account of its looks. It is a first 

 cousin to the frog, and there are some of us who occasionally pay a 

 good price to get fried frog legs ; yet the meat of the so-called mud 

 puppy or the Menobranchus, is the same as the meat of the frog; it is 

 really a more solid meat; and if there are any here who enjoy frogs' 

 legs they can get a larger quantity of the same meat at a much cheaper 

 price by buying the animal which has been condemned under the evil 

 name of "mud puppy." 



Both the fresh water dogfish, or bow-fin, and the mud puppy are 

 good livers, and are entitled to be added to the list of delicacies which 

 the human race enjoys. 



It is quite appropriate that this Society should extend the list of 

 table fish, for with the disappearance of some of the kinds to which 

 we have been wedded in the past, there is need for something which 

 will be within reach of the pocketbook. Now, the bow-fin and the 

 mud puppy will actually take the place of any high grade fish, and of 

 frogs' legs. Therefore, those who are here can with great safety 

 propagate the gospel of these new delicacies, and they will find that 

 when they add them to the menu, if they will simply change the un- 

 savory names, people will think they have one of the greatest deli- 

 cacies of the season. 



President: Through this dogfish discussion we may have found 

 out something of great value. 



