FISHES OF PENNSYLVANIA. 3) 

In lake Erie the species spawns in June, for which purpose it ascends 
the rivers in large schools until stopped by obstructions or insufficient 
depth of water. The breaching of the sturgeon is a well-known habit. In- 
stances are recorded of serious injury to persons by sturgeons throwing 
themselves into boats. The sturgeon will occasionally take a baited 
hook, but its great strength and unwieldiness make it an undesirable 
fish for the angler. 
Large numbers of sturgeon have been destroyed by fishermen during 
the whitefish season simply on account of the annoyance caused by 
their presence in the nets. Now that the flesh is becoming popular for 
smoking, and the demand for caviare made from the eggs has largely 
increased, the wanton waste of this fish has been checked. <A trouble- 
some parasite of the sturgeon is the lamper eel (Petromyzon concelor 
Kirt.), which attaches itself to the skin, presumably for the purpose of 
feeding upon the mucus which is exuded from the pores in great abun- 
dance, and remains fixed in one position so long as to penetrate to the 
flesh and produce a deep ulcerous sore. 
The lake sturgeon was formerly not very popular, but is rapidly 
growing into favor. The flesh is eaten in the fresh condition, or after 
boiling in vinegar or curing by smoking. Smoked sturgeon is now con- 
sidered almost, if not quite, equal to smoked halibut, and the demand 
for it is increasing. From the eggs of the sturgeon a very good grade 
of caviare is produced. “The caviare is made by pressing the ova 
through sieves, leaving the membranes of the ovaries remaining in the 
sieve, and the eggs fall through into a tub. This is continued until the 
eggs are entirely free from particles of membrane, when they are put 
into salt pickle, and allowed to remain for some time.” 
ORDER GINGLYMODI. (THE BONY GARS.) 
Famity LEPISOSTEIDA. (Tue Gar Fisues.) 
Genus LEPISOSTEUS Lacépépe. 
9. Lepisosteus osseus Linyzvs. 
The Gar Pike. 
The gar pike has an elongate, subcylindrical body. Its depth is contained about 
twelve times in the length; the jaws are greatly produced, the upper being the 
longer. The length of the head is one-third of the total length, without tail. Teeth 
in jaws rather fine, sharp and stiff. A single inner row of large teeth, and an outer 
row of small teeth on each side. The snout is more than twice as long as the rest of 
the head, its least width being from one-fifteenth to one-twentieth of its length. D. 
7to8; A.9; V.6; P. 10. Scales, 62 to 65. Inthe young the tail is produced into a 
filament. 
