68 CHECK LIST OF THE 



Subgenus KENOZA. 



(75) Green Pike. 



(Lucius reticulatus.) 



Body long and slender ; caudal peduncle slender, its depth little more 

 than one-third of greatest depth of body. Snout long and pointed. Caudal 

 deeply forked. 



D., 14 to 15; A., 13 to 14. Scales on lateral line about 125. The 

 cheeks and opercles are completely scaled. 



Colour, green of various shades, sometimes very dark ; sides (often 

 with a golden lustre), marked with many dark lines and streaks which are 

 mostly horizontal and by their junction with one another produce a reticu- 

 lated appearance. A dark band below the eye. Fins plain. 



This small Pike does not seem to be at all common in our waters. I 

 have taken a few in the neighbourhood of Toronto, but have not met with 

 it elsewhere. It should be found in suitable places in Lakes Erie and 

 Ontario. Its usual haunts are weedy streams, ponds and bays, where it 

 lies in wait for the fish, frogs, and other living creatures upon which it 

 preys. It is said under favourable circumstances to attain a length of two 

 feet and a weight of eight pounds, but those I have seen were never more 

 than half that size. As a food fish it is not generally appreciated, for its 

 flesh seems to have absorbed too strong a flavour of the weeds among 

 which it lives. 



Subgenus LUCIUS. 



(76) Common Pike. Northern Pike. 



(Lucius lucius.) 



Body elongate, but stout and well proportioned ; head long, with well 

 produced snout ; caudal peduncle nearly equal to one-half depth of body. 

 Eye nearly median. Mouth very large and strongly toothed ; the tongue, 

 roof of mouth, pharynx and gill arches bristle with teeth in cardlike bands, 

 giving the fish extraordinary power in holding its prey. The dorsal and 

 anal fins are near the caudal. Ventral fin midway between tip of snout 

 and end of caudal fin. 



D., 16 to 20; A., 16 to 17. Scales on lateral side about 125. Cheeks 

 entirely scaly ; upper part of opercle scaly, the lower half bare. 



General colour greenish gray, with many white or yellowish spots, 

 somewhat arranged in rows; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with roundish or 

 oblong black spots. Naked part of the opercle bounded by a whitish 

 streak. 



Common and generally distributed throughout the Province in all 

 waters where there are sufficient weeds to afford it shelter. 



The Pike is one of the most voracious of our fishes, feeding upon any 

 form of animal life which it is able to overpower. Under favourable cir- 



