626 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



to that observed in the bluegill. During the summer and fall occa- 

 sionally dead individuals are found. 



The food value of the water-dog has never been fully tested. 

 Some years ago some experiments were made at Put-in-Bay by 

 Mr. J. J. Stranahan which indicated that this batrachian might, 

 through proper treatment, be made a very palatable and nutritious 

 article of food. Its repulsive appearance, however, will to some 

 extent militate against any extensive or general use of the animal 

 for this purpose. 



Summing up, then, the water-dog does not appear to have any- 

 thing to commend it or in favor of its preservation; it seems to 

 serve no useful purpose except that it is an interesting member 

 of the local fauna. 



It is an animal feeder and is destructive to several species of 

 fishes, in that it preys not only on the adults but upon their eggs 

 as well. 



Following are dates on which water-dogs were observed at the 

 lake : April 6 and 7, 1885, the senior author was at Lake Maxin- 

 kuckee, and saw a large number of dead water-dogs frozen in ice 

 in what is now known as Green's marsh south of Outlet Bay. 

 There was more water in that place then than we have ever ob- 

 served there since. The water-dogs had apparently come out into 

 the marsh and, the temperature suddenly dropping, were caught 

 in the freezing ice; or possibly they had died from another cause 

 and their bodies had been carried by the current on to the marsh. 



In October, 1898, Mr. Chadwick reported them as abundant 

 and stated that they are often caught while fishing through the 

 ice in winter; also that they are often seen in shallow water on 

 muck bottom in winter. 



In 1899, one seen September 10. 



In 1900, one found under a board in shallow water on Long 

 Point August 8; one found dead near Maxinkuckee pier August 

 11 ; one seen dead floating near Long Point August 15 ; one got in 

 Culver Inlet August 21 ; one found dead near shore near Arlington 

 Hotel August 22, and another at Outlet August 31 ; one seined in 

 Lost Lake September 1 ; one very large example found dead in lake 

 near Lakeview Hotel September 29 ; two found dead in Culver Bay 

 October 11; two dead on south shore November 9, and two more 

 November 17, also two on east side November 22; a small one 

 dead in a pool near Farrar's December 3; one got with rake and 

 another seen at Long Point among a school of skipjacks December 

 10; one seen near shore on Long Point among skipjacks, and 



