654 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



7. MINOR TRIBUTARIES OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 



The minor tributaries, such as the Patuxent, Chester, Choptank, Wicomico, Patapsco, and 

 the numerous creeks which indent the shores of the Chesapeake, contribute no insignificant portion 

 of the total product of the Chesapeake area. We have not, however, the data enabling us to 

 specify the exact amounts taken in each. Their aggregate is, however, included in the summaries 

 for Maryland and Virginia, given in another section of this report. 



4. FISHERIES OF THE DELAWARE RIVER. 



By MABSHALL MCDONALD. 



The present condition of the fisheries of Delaware Bay is discussed on a preceding page of 

 this volume under the head of Fisheries of Southern Delaware. 



The following is a statistical summary of the Delaware River fisheries in 1880, based upon 

 general estimates: 



a In addition, 506,700 pounds of alewives and 120,000 ponnds of sturgeon were taken by the sea-fishermen. 



6 Includes 196,200 pounds of catfish, 150,000 pounds of perch, 100,000 ponnds of striped bass, 15,300 pounds of turtle, and 533,750 pounds 

 of mixed fish. 



The following facts concerning the condition of the fisheries of Delaware River in 1837 are 

 compiled from an article by Dr. Samuel Howell, in the American Journal of Science and Arts, 

 Volume XXXII, 1837, page 134, entitled " Notice of the Shad and Shad Fisheries of the Delaware" : 



" The shad usually make their first appearance in the Delaware about the middle of March. 

 In early seasons, however, they are occasionally taken in February. 



"It is a singular fact that they are caught within a few days as early above the rapids, 1GO 

 miles from the ocean, as at the lowest fisheries on the river; but, although their advance guard 

 would thus seem to move on with such celerity towards their place of destination, the main body 

 evidently pursue their course more deliberately, and it is obvious from the operation of the 

 successive fisheries that their progress upwards is slow, and that they do not move as fast as the 

 tide would carry them, even admitting that they remain quiescent during the ebb. While they 

 work their way slowly against the ebb-tide, it would seem that they head about and rather stem 

 the upward drift of the flood. This is proved by the fact that the drift nets or gilling seines, which 

 catch them me.shed on their lower sides during their ebb drift, have them entangled on the 

 opposite side when drifting upwards with the flood tide. 



" While their general movement is upwards, for their final destination seems to be the clc;ir 

 shallow waters above the tide, their instinct instructs them to loiter by the way to employ their 

 appropriate food, with which the turbid fresh waters of the river seem to abound ; what this food i.s 

 is conjectural. 



"They certainly are not a fish of prey, and their alimentary canal on dissection discloses noth- 

 ing but a greenish earthy slime, which is probably strained through their fringed throats as they 

 iu the water, 



