FISHES OF THE NORTHWEST. 



FOR the abundance and variety of its edible and game fishes, 

 the Northwest far surpasses all other regions of North 

 America, not only in its Salmonidce, but in other classes or families. 

 Referring only superficially to the ichthyc fresh water fauna of 

 Alaska, which have not been thoroughly investigated by scientists, 

 we enumerate the following, irrespective of order or classification ; 

 A sucker found there, which is called craskee by the Russians, 

 (Catostomus teres) is quite common, and for its Northern habitat, 

 quite large, averaging from four to seven pounds. A species of 

 the cottidse, called widuk by the Tinnehs, frequents the shallow 

 streams and ponds, and is caught in large numbers by the abo- 

 rigines who scoop them out with their hands, paddles and grass 

 baskets. The flesh is insipid but sweet, and for this flavor a few 

 tribes like it. If one were to give it an English cognomen he 

 would be apt to call it a black bullhead or sculpin. A small dace, 

 also found with this, bites readily at a baited hook. The pike 

 {Esoxestor,) is very abundant in the ponds and lakes of the almost 

 Arctic regions of Alaska. It resembles its eastern congener, is of 

 little use as an article of food or sport, and it is, therefore, let 

 severely alone, except the comparatively limited numbers caught 

 in seines for the purpose of feeding the sledge dogs. The burhot, 

 eel pout, or losh, i^Lota tnaculata,) swarms in the lakes and rivers, . 

 and being quite edible, and weighing from thirty to fifty pounds, 

 it forms quite an extensive article of food, for when broiled, it is 

 quite delicate, the flesh being hard and compact. The liver is 

 considered the best portion, as it is permeated by a sweet, rich oil, 

 which is often extracted for the purpose of the cuisine. The skin, 

 which is translucent when prepared, is used quite frequently for 

 window glass. The male, which is smaller than the female, often 

 carries two gall bladders, while the female has but one. The latter 

 will compare with any of her order in fecundity, for slie is full of 



