LEADEE OF THE CLAN. 277 



chor on the shady side of a floral islet, in a narrow, rapid chan- 

 nel, where they cast the flies for black bass. Thus passes the 

 day, on waters where the air is laden with perfume from wild 

 roses and honeysuckles, and where the music of birds chimes 

 in with the running waters as the trollers alternate between 

 light and shade, now gliding along in gorgeous sunlight, and 

 anon tracing narrow channels, shaded by tall forest trees, 

 where wild ducks and other winged game are rendered al- 

 most tame by the contiguity of civilization and the frequent 

 sight of gay and jolly fishing-parties. 



SECTION SECOND. 



THE MASKINONGE. 



Where'er Ontario's waters chafe 



The rocky bluffs that crown its shore, 

 And where Canadian banks are green, 



And crystal tributaries pour, 

 The savage maskinonge doth roam 



The tyrant of the wateiy plain, 

 No rebel to dispute his claim, 



No rival in his great domain. 



The maskinonge is the most beautiful specimen of the pike 

 family. The tribe is confined to the range of large lakes and 

 rivers of our Northern boundary, and to most of the lakes 

 and rivers in the vast northwestern wilderness extending to 

 the frigid zone. The Ojibwa name of this fish is " maskanon- 

 jii" meaning " long-snout." When Canada was a French col- 

 . ony, the " hobUaiis" named it masque-tongue, signifying long 

 visage. I submit that the Ojibwa was entitled by priority to 

 the right of naming the fish ; but as the Dominion of Canada 

 has named it again, and in all legal enactments there in ref- 

 erence to it the name of the fish is written " maskinonge," I 

 willingly accept the modification instead of either the Indian 

 or the French name. 



Thus much in explanation of naming a fish which has puz- 

 zled most ichthyologists and anglers, so that they have been 

 uncertain and dubious on the point. The name is MASKI- 

 NONGE. 



