224 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



small, short and rounded. Ventrals rather nearer the pectorals than to the anal. Anal fin 

 under the dorsal. Caudal deeply emarginate, almost forked ; the lobes obtusely pointed. 



Color, varies in intensity and tint. In some it is deep green, varying to blackish on the 

 back and head, or bluish grey ; in others, it is of a golden or olive-yellow on the sides, the 

 free margins of the scales bordered with black. Numerous irregular abbreviated longitudinal 

 dusky streaks on the sides of the body, united with similar oblique streaks, and producing an 

 imperfectly reticulated appearance. Irides yellowish varied with blue. The fins greenish ; 

 those below tinged with reddish. 



Length, 12-0 -36-0. 



Fin rays, D. 18 ; P. 16 ; V. 10 ; A. 14 ; C. 19 ^. 



The Common Pickerel is found in most of the ponds and streams throughout the State. 

 They are caught during the whole year, but appear to be most prized in winter. In the dis- 

 tricts bordering on the lakes, they are considered inferior to the preceding species. 



This species appears to be common through all the Eastern and Middle States, and is 

 found in the waters of the Ohio. It does not extend to the countries north of the great lakes. 



I am induced to believe the Black Pike of Saratoga lake, described by Lesueur as E. 

 niger, to be the young of this species. 



THE VARIED PICKEREL. 



ESOX FASCUTHS. 



PLATE XXXIV. FIG. 110. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Characteristics, Greenish yellow, with dusky vertical bars along the sides. Tail slightly 

 emarginate. Length 6 to 10 inches. 



Description. Body cylindrical, with its dorsal surface much flattened. Upper part of the 

 head with a deep longitudinal groove. The orifices of mucous ducts disposed irregularly 

 over the head. Teeth smaller than, but similar to, those in the preceding, on the inter- 

 maxillaries, lower jaw, vomer, palatines, pharyngeals, base of the tongue, and branchial 

 arches. Dorsal fin higher than long, its margin much rounded. Anal with sub^qual rays. 

 Pectorals much nearer the end of the snout than the ventrals, which produces a correspond- 

 ing change in the position of these last mentioned fins. 



Color. Dark brownish black above, descending in irregular dark clouds a short distance on 

 the sides. Sides greenish yellow, with irregular vertical brown stripes descending on the 

 belly. Dorsal and caudal fins dark brown. The pectorals, ventral and anal lighter colored ; 

 often, by infiltration, reddish. A short dark band from the eye to the angle of the jaw. 



Length, 6-0- 10- 0. 



Fin rays, D. 15 ; P. 15 ; V. 9 ; A. 14 ; C. 19 {. 



