FISHES AQUARIA 173 



industries of the salt and inland waters, the principal food 

 fishes, such as salmon, mackerel, cod, and herring should be 

 studied. Refer also to the artificial rearing of fish at the 

 state and national hatcheries. Briefly take up methods em- 

 ployed, and also the stocking of the lakes and other waters. 



A few strange fish, such as the eel, shark, ray, flying-fish, 

 seahorse, torpedo, and others, would be interesting illustra- 

 tions of curious adaptations to special modes of life. 



The following fresh-water fish are common and should be 

 referred to in this study of fishes : There are the sunfish, the 

 gamy little fish for the youthful angler, so common in our 

 ponds, lakes, and rivers. Some of them are beauties, as, 

 for example, the " pumpkin seed." Another fish, in similar 

 places and affording similar sport, is the common perch. 

 For the more mature sportsman the black bass are more 

 worthy to test their skill at angling. These also abound in 

 our lakes and streams. Related to the sunfishes and bass 

 are the speckled croppies of the lakes. In another class 

 belong the ferocious and large-mouthed pike, pickerel, and 

 muskalonge of the lakes and rivers. These are well pro- 

 vided with teeth. They are very predaceous and attack any 

 moving object in the water, and are therefore usually caught 

 with the trolling hook. They are very destructive of other 

 fish, and make gamy catches. Another famous order of 

 fishes is that of the salmon and trout. On account of 

 their vigorous fighting qualities salmon are considered ex- 

 cellent game, and trout catching is a test of nimbleness and 

 skill with the fly. Both kinds are among the best food fish, 

 as the flesh is excellent and the bones are not troublesome. 

 Another order includes the suckers and minnows. Suckers 

 generally have small tube-like mouths adapted for sucking 



