FISHES, 169 



time. During this state of these insects, the sal- 

 mon and other fishes fare luxiirionsJv and disdain 

 the hook. In July the salmon of some of the 

 small lakes are greatly annoyed by aquatic insects 

 which fix on the gills and fins, and eat the latter 

 so that the fish can hardly swim. It is supposed 

 by some, that the}^ go up into the creeks to get 

 rid of this annoyang^. The salmon has small, 

 short teeth, and is undoubtedly carnivorous. When 

 most assailed by vermin, it is the fattest. The 

 greatest weight 48 pounds. 



LETTER XL, 



Western Region, August, 1820, 

 My Dear Sir, 



The black, or Oswego basse, stands at the 

 liead of the perch family of this country, for deli- 

 cacy of flavour. He is eagerly sought for by 

 Epicurean avidity, and when he is properl}^ pre- 

 pared for the table, he is as much prized by the 

 American gourmand, as the green turtle is by a 

 London alderman. 



This fish is of the perca genus, and thiracie or- 

 der, although the ventral is in strictness not di- 

 rectly under the pectoral fin, yet I place him ir. 



