196 



SUBKINGDOM VERTEBRATA. 



Salmonidae. The Salmon has habits similar to those of 

 the Herring, but, on account of its greater si ze^ is able to 

 ascend waterfalls ten or twelve feet in height. Arrived at 

 the spawning ground, a hole is scooped in the gravel and the 

 eggs deposited and covered over, the parent returning 

 leisurely to the sea. Its food in the ocean consists of small 

 sheil-nsh, not excepting its own progeny. 



Fig. 338. 



Salmo solar, Salmon. 



The Esocidae include the voracious European Pike and 

 American Pickerel (Esox reticulatus). They are masters of 

 the waters in which they reside, destroying mercilessly every 

 other fish and even the young of their own kind, as well as 

 mammals and birds three water-rats and the remains of a 

 duck having been found in the stomach of one pike.* Hence 

 they should be exterminated from all streams intended for 

 the raising of trout, gold-fish, and other soft-finned fishes. 



* A swan was perceived to keep its head under water longer than usual. Upon 

 examination it was found that a pike Lad so far gorged its head as to kill both itself 

 and the swan. 



