308 ESOCID.E. 



to its length. Its habits are nearly identical with those 

 of the pike, though it is very seldom if ever to be seen 

 basking, and appears generally to inhabit only the deepest 

 waters. 



The back is of a very dark and somewhat greenish 

 hue, and the under parts of a beautiful silver-grey, 

 the two colours meeting and blending together on the 

 sides, which are marked with a few irregular patches. 

 The scales are very small and extend over, and cover 

 the cheeks. 



Masq' allonge of twenty pounds weight are common, 

 and instances are recorded in which they have been 

 captured with the rod as heavy as sixty and even 

 seventy pounds. The voracity of these monsters appears 

 to be proportionately enormous, for it is no uncommon 

 occurrence to find fish of several pounds weight in the 

 stomach. 



The sport afforded by the capture of such leviathans 

 may be easily imagined, and as they are neither rare 

 to find nor difficult to tempt if properly dealt with, 

 masq'allonge" trolling may lay claim to considerable 

 attractions. 



According to the provisions of the Canadian Fishery 

 Act it is unlawful to take them between the 15th of 

 March and the 15th of May, but they may be fished 

 for at any other time of the year. 



