174 Descriptive Zoology. 



head and a sucking mouth, toothless, with soft lips capable 

 of downward extension ; they feed to a large extent on 

 vegetable matter, hence have a long intestine, in marked 

 contrast with the short intestine of the carnivorous perch. 

 The air bladder is large, and is constricted into two or 

 three compartments, linked together sausagelike. The 

 air bladder communicates with the digestive tube. They 

 ascend streams in the spring to lay their eggs. Their flesh 

 is rather tasteless and full of bones ; still, they are largely 

 used as food, as they cost less than other fishes, being 

 caught in immense numbers in seines. Their sluggishness 

 contrasts sharply with the alertness of the game fishes. 



FIG. 109. ATLANTIC SALMON. 



From Kingsley's Zoology. 



The Salmon Family. The salmon is well known both 

 from its commercial importance and from its remarkable 

 migrations up rivers to spawn. It passes swift rapids and 

 leaps falls of considerable height. To this family also 

 belong the trout and the whitefish of the great lakes. 



The Trout. One of the daintiest of fishes, as well as 

 one of the most delicately flavored, is the trout. On 

 account of its wariness it is sought by the angler who 

 wishes to overmatch its cunning. 



" This is the last generation of trout fishers. The chil- 

 dren will not be able to find any. Already there are well- 



