MASCALLONGE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



MASCALLONGE. 



Esox Estor Masqueallonge Muskellunge Musca* 

 linga Masquin-ongy Maskinonge Mmcanonga. 



The sides of the body are marked with numerous 

 rounded, distinct greyish spots. Three bands of card- 

 like teeth are situated on the roof of the mouth, on the 

 palatines and vomer, converging to a point toward the 

 snout. There are long, sharp, distinct teeth along the 

 edges of the upper and lower jaw, and continued to the 

 extremity of the latter, although some authorities assert 

 the contrary. The gill-arches are also covered with 

 teeth. Mascallonge reach a length of about six feet and 

 a weight of seventy pounds, and the comparative length 

 of the head with the whole fish is as one to four. The 

 fin-rays are as follows : 



Branchial or gill-rays 20; Dorsal 18; Pectoral 16; 

 Yentral 11 ; Anal 17 ; Caudal 24 ; according to my best 

 computation. 



Br. 18 ; D. 21 ; P. 13 ; Y. 11 ; A. 21 ; C. 19f Dr. 

 De Kay. 



D. 21 ; P. 14 ; V. 11 ; A. 1Y ; C. 26. Dr. Mitchill. 



D. 22 ; P. 18 ; Y. 13 ; A. 20 ; C. 26. Prof. Agassiz. 



The lateral line is not continuous, the under jaw is 

 more elongated than that of the northern pickerel and 



