42 DR. D. H. STOKER'S REPORT. April, 



European species, have received their names of Carp, and Bream, 

 and Roach, and Dace, and Chub. 



But iew genera of the family Esoses, are found in our State. 

 These, however, are far from being valueless. The Esox relicula- 

 tus — pickerel — a very common species, is by many considered a 

 great treat. A species of Scomberesox — bill-fish — is collected by 

 the inhabitants of the towns upon Cape Cod in large quantities in 

 the autumn, at the appearance of the first frost, and thought very 

 nutritious and grateful food. And the Exocelus volitans — Flying- 

 fish — is no unpalatable meal. 



The family Salmonides includes several genera of fishes, which 

 for delicacy and richness are not surpassed. Previous to the sepa- 

 ration of Maine from this state, large quantities of the Salmo salar 

 — salmon — were packed — thus, in the year 1818, 2,381 barrels 

 were inspected. Since that time none have been inspected. The 

 building of dams and manufacturing establishments, by preventing 

 the fishes from going up the rivers to deposit their spawn, has almost 

 entirely annihilated them in this Commonwealih. About 17 years 

 since, two waggons, each bringing from 30 to 40 fine salmon from 

 the Merrimack river, supplied the Boston market every week during 

 the season of the fish : — now, the few specimens taken are looked 

 upon as rarities, and our market is enriched by the fishery of the 

 Kennebec. 



The Salmo trutta{}) — Salmon trout(?) — exists in considerable 

 quantities at Sandwich, where not less than 1000 pounds are yearly 

 taken. 



The Salmo fortinalis — Brook-trout — often acquires considerable 

 size, and when brought to market, meets with a ready sale. The 

 Osmerus viridescens — Smelt — which is an universal favorite, is taken 

 in great numbers in the spring and autumn, and through a great portion 

 of the winter. In Waterto^vn alone, about 750,000 dozen are taken 

 annually in scoop-nets from ihe first of March to the first of June — 

 and sent to Boston market. 



The family Clupece, are among our most valuable fishes. The 

 Clupea vernalis — alewife — is taken in immense quantities still, in 

 several parts of the state, although in several ])laces where they have 

 heretofore been most abundant, the various encroachments of man 

 have sensibly diminished them. A larger quantity of alewives are 



