148 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



THE STKEAKED PIKE OF THE OHIO. 



Esox viUatus : Rafinesque. 



Of the Pikes found in the Ohio, Rafinesque says : — " There 

 are several species of Pikes in the Ohio, Mississippi, Wabash, 

 Kentucky, &c. I have not yet been able to observe them 

 thoroughly. I have, however, procured correct accounts, and 

 figures of two species ; but there are more. They appear to 

 belong to a peculiar subgenus distinguished by a long dorsal 

 fin, a forked tail, and the abdominal fins anterior, being 

 removed from the vent. It may be called Picorellus. The 

 French settlers of the Wabash and Missouri call them Piconeau, 

 and the American settlers Pikes or Pickerels. They are 

 permanent but rare fishes, retiring however in deep waters in 

 winter. They prefer the large streams, are very voracious, 

 and grow to a large size. They prey on all the other fishes 

 except the Garfishes, &c. They are easily taken with the 

 hook, and afford a very good food, having a delicate flesh. 



" Streaked Pike. Esox vittatus, Brochet raye. 



"White, with two blackish longitudinal streaks on each side, 

 back brownicsh ; jaws nearly equal, very obtuse, eyes large 

 and behind the mouth ; dorsal fins longitudinal between the 

 abdominal and anal fins ; tail forked. 



" This fish is rare in the Ohio, (although it has been seen at 

 Pittsburgh), but more common in the Wabash and Upper 



