144 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FLSII COMMISSION. 



ford Basin, Halifax, in dei)tbs of 26 to 40 fatlioms; in the Gulf of Saint 

 Lawrence; on the coast of Labrador, &c. 



The distribution of tliese three sjtecies of prawns, as above described, 

 was mainly traced out by the United States Fish Counuission, which, 

 in its explorations with the dredge and trawl along tiic Xew England 

 coast, during the past ten years, has constantly come upon immense 

 schools of them, sometimes two or three of the species being associated 

 together, at others occurring separately. It has been no uncommon 

 occurrence tV)r a peck or more to come up in a single haul of the beam- 

 trav.i, and several such hauls have been made in a single day. These 

 l)rawns apparently swim in schools from place to place ; they are active 

 in their movements, and can, therefore, be seldom taken in the dredge. 

 There are many witness<\s among the members of the Fish Commission 

 who can testify to the superior (luality of the deep-water pravrns as an 

 article of food. 



The lobster fishermen of Biddeford Pool, Elaine, who set their pots 

 in the winter from 4 to miles from land, occasionally cai)ture a few 

 specimens, and the same is true of other localities. It is very difitl- 

 cult to suggest a proper style of apparatus for taking these ])rawns in 

 (piantity for food. The beam-trawl emi)loyed bj' the United States 

 Fish Commission, which is a modification of the beam-trawl used by 

 English fishermen, would probably answer as w'ell as anything. The 

 net used by the Chinese, on the California coast, foi* catching J'andalus 

 J)an(v would, ])erhaps, answer the same purpose for the same genus, in 

 moderate deptbs on oui eastern coast; but the writer has no ])ractical 

 knowledge of its workings. It is possible, though not i)robable, that 

 these prawns would seek bait in trajis, constructed somewhat like the 

 lobster pots, but with a liner mesh. The beam-trawl oi' some adaptation 

 of it would, however, seem to approach nearest to the requirements of 

 the case. 



We do not wish it to be understood that we suggest the fitting out of 

 boats and nets by the wholesale, for this proposed new fishery. Shoulfl 

 any one l)ecome interested in it, he had best begin in a small way, and 

 in the course of a season or two he could determine its practicability-, 

 and the additional outfit he might require. 



The Eiver Shrimps. Pakcmon Ohionis, Smith, and Fcdccmonetcs exi- 



llpes^ Stimpson. 



These are the only species of fresh-water shrimiis so far described 

 from the Mississippi Eiver, its tributaries, and the rivers to the east- 

 ward of it, although others may sooner or later be brought to light. 

 They do not ajipear to be used much as food, but the former species is oc- 

 casionally taken for that purpose at some of the inland towns. At Xew 

 Orleans the Palccmon is sold in the markets, and is probably canned in 

 connection with the Gulf species. Both species have a considerable 

 range, and have been recorded from over a wide area. Palccmon Ohionis 



