42 CONTRIBUTIONS TO NORTH AMERICAN ICHTHYOLOGY 1. 



XXVI. Genus, RIBBON-FISH, SARCHIRUS, Saichire. (p. 69.) 

 83d species, Ohio Ribbon-Fish, SARCHIRUS VITTATUS, Sarchire rubanne. 

 (p. 69.) 



Lepidosteus sp. (youDg). 

 Description inaccurate. 



* XXVII. Genus, PIKE, ESOX, Brochet. (p. 70.) 

 1 84th species, Streaked Pike, ESOX VITTATUS, Brochet raye. (p. 70.) 

 Thus far unrecognized. 

 } 85th species, Sa:nion-Pike, ESOX SALMONEUS, Brochet saumonne. (p. 71.) 



EsOX aALMONEUS Eaf. 

 ? Esox umhrosus Kirtland. 



Description probably second hand and not very good. It is probably 

 Esox umhrosus, which species abounds in the bayous of the Ohio, but 



* Body cylindrical or very long, covered with small scales, vent posterior. One dor- 

 sal fin behind the abdominal fins. Mouth large, jaws long and flattened, with very 

 strong teeth ; opening of the gills very large. Head bony, scaleless. Tail not obliqual. 

 All the fins with rays. 



There are several species of Pikes in the Ohio, Mississippi, Wabash, Kentucky, &c. 

 I have not yet been able to observe them thoroughly. I have, however, procured cor- 

 rect accounts and figures of two species ; but there are more. They appear to belong 

 to a peculiar subgenus distinguished by a long dorsal fin, a forked tail, and the abdom- 

 inal fins anterior, being removed from the vent. It may be called Picortllus, The 

 French settlers of the Wabash and Missouri call them Ficoneau, and the American 

 settlers Pikes or Pickerels. They are permanent but rare fishes, retiring, however, in 

 deep waters in winter. They prefer the large streams, are very voracious, and grow 

 to a large size. They prey on all the other fishes except the Gar-fishes, &c. They are 

 easily taken with the hook, and afford a very good food, having a delicate flesh. 



t White, with two blackish longitudinal streaks on each side, back brownish ; jaws 

 nearly equal, very obtuse, eyes large and behind the mouth ; dorsal fins longitudinal 

 between the abdominal and anal fins ; tail forked. 



E. viitatus. Raf. in American Monthly Magazine 1818, volume 3, page 447. 



This fish is rare in the Ohio (although it has been seen at Pittsburgh), but more 

 common in the Wabash and Upj)er Mississippi. It is called Ficoneau or Picaneau by 

 the Canadians and Missourians. It reaches the length of from three to five feet. The 

 pectoral and abdominal fins are trapezoidal, the anal and dorsal longitudinal with 

 many rays and nearly equal. It is sometimes called Jack or Jackfish. Lateral line 

 straight. 



t White, with many narrow transversal Iroivn lands, somewhat curved; jaws nearly equal, 

 very obtuse; dorsal fins brown, longitudinal and extending over the anal fins; tail 

 forked and brown. 



It is one of the best fishes in the Ohio; its flesh is very delicate, and divides easily, 

 as in Salmon, into large plates as white as snow. It is called Salmon Pike, White 

 Pike, White Jack or White Pickerel, and Picaneau Nanc by the Missourians. It has a 

 short and thick head, eyes not very large, and situated upwards. Pectoral and abdom- 

 inal hns trapezoidal. Dorsal fin beginning behind these last and extending over the 

 anal. The number of transversal bands is twelve or more, rather distant, and with 

 the concavity towards the head. It reaches the length of 5 feet. Lateral line nearly 

 straight. 



