150 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 
being one of the largest affluents of the Suwanee. As comparatively 
littleinformation has hitherto been obtained regarding the ichthyological 
features of this region, Mr. Woolman’s efforts were well rewarded, not- 
withstanding that the rainy season had commenced before the party 
reached the field. The relatively small number of species which in- 
habit these waters is especially noteworthy, only 12 species having been 
taken in the Alligator River, 20 in the Peace River, 14 in the Hills- 
boro River, 16 in the Withlacoochee River, and 17 in the Santa Fe River. 
Mr. Woolman’s report * gives descriptions of the principal characteris- 
tics of the rivers, with annotated lists of their fishes. 
NEW YORK. 
In July, 1889, an examination was made of Lake Ronkonkoma and 
Great Pond, Long Island, by Mr. Fred. Mather and Dr. Bashford Dean, 
a part of the collecting outfit and the thermometers having been sup- 
plied by the U.S. Fish Commission. An account of this inquiry has 
been published in the Eighteenth Report of the Commissioners of Fish- 
eries of New York, 1890, pp. 205-217. 
Lake Ronkonkoma is situated in the center of Long Island on the 
top of an extended gravelly ridge of land. It is one of the largest 
bodies of fresh water on the island, having an area of a trifle over a 
square mile, and occupies a depression in the drift formation. Many 
myths are associated with the place, and the lake has been supposed by 
residents of the vicinity to have avery great depth. The soundings 
made during the summer developed, however,’ a nearly uniform depth 
of only 15 feet, a maximum of 65 feet having been discovered in one 
place. There are no inlet or outlet streams, the source of its water 
being underlying springs. The temperature was found to be high, 
ranging from 75° F. in the deep hole to 77° F. in depths of 3 to4 feet, and 
80° F. at the surface. It was concluded from the observations made 
that ‘‘the balance of fish life in this lake is nearly if not quite com- 
plete.” Black bass of both species, which were planted some years ago, 
are now plentiful and have attained a large size. Notes are given on 
all the species of fishes found, and the commoner forms of invertebrates 
and plants are enumerated. 
Great Pond is at Riverhead, near the eastern part of the island, and 
although also situated in the drift, differs considerably in character 
from Lake Ronkonkoma. It drains the surrounding hills and has an 
outlet flowing into Great Peconic Bay. Its average depth is something 
over 24 feet, the temperature at the bottom ranging from 65° to 75° F. 
The pickerel (sox reticulatus) and common sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), 
absent from Lake Ronkonkoma, are abundant here, but the black bass 
has never been introduced. 
“Report upon the rivers of central Florida tributary to the Gulf of Mexico, with 
lists of fishes inhabiting them. By Albert J. Woolman. Bull. U. S. Fish Commis-— 
sion, X, 1890, pp. 293-302, pls. Lil, LILI. 
