192 THE DUCK-BILLED CAT. 



There are many species of Sturgeons, and among the most remarkable are the Shovel- 

 fish and the Spoon-bill Sturgeon, both being natives of the rivers of North America. 



The Shovel-fish derives its name from the curious form of its head, which is flattened, 

 rounded, and really not unlike the implement after which it receives its popular title. The 

 adult and young differ somewhat in their aspect. Both are of large size and show a conspic- 

 uous arrangement of the bony scales along the body. 



The Shovel-nose Sturgeon (ScaphiorTiynchops platyrrhynchus). About four species 

 inhabit the waters of Central and Eastern Asia, and the United States. One only is found in 

 the latter region. 



The term White Sturgeon is also used to designate this species. It inhabits the Missis- 

 sippi Valley and the streams of the Western and Southern States. Both of the long technical 

 terms literally mean spade-snout, and Hat-snout. 



The family of Sturgeons is regarded as one very strongly marked; there being little 

 danger of confusion as to the rights of membership. Though the Sturgeon is, in most portions 

 of tin' United States, rather an unfamiliar fish, yet the characters are such, that once the 

 species are seen they are quickly and correctly placed in a natural classification. It has no 

 near allies, excepting those lying entombed in rocks of past geological ages. The skeleton is 

 cartilaginous. Species are found in all north temperate portions of the globe. They all breed 

 in fresh water; but some reside in the sea during a part of the season. Others are permanent 

 residents in the fresh waters of the Great Lakes and rivers. 



The Sharp-nosed Stueoeox \Acipenser sturid). From Cape Cod to Florida this fish 

 finds its habitat. It is also found in European waters. The Short-nosed Sturgeon has the 

 same American range. 



According to Jordan and Gilbert, there are two genera and twenty species of Sturgeons. 

 There are seven species inhabiting the waters of North America. Most of the species are 

 migratory, like the Salmon which are found in the same waters. 



A variety of this species is very common in waters between Massachusetts and Florida. 



The White Sturgeon is native to the Columbia River. It is also called Sacramento 

 Sturgeon, as it inhabits along the Pacific Coast to Monterey. It reaches a weight of from 

 three hundred to six hundred pounds, and is used extensively for food. 



The Green Sturgeon is reputed as unfit for food, and, indeed, it has the merited reputa- 

 tion of being poisonous. It is smaller in size than the preceding. 



The Lake Sturgeon, called also Ohio, Black, Stone, and Rock Sturgeon, inhabits the 

 Mississippi River and northward to the Great Lakes. Its weight is from fifty to one hundred 

 pounds. This is the common Fresh-water Sturgeon, which usually does not descend to the sea. 



The Short-nose Sturgeon is found from Cape Cod to Florida. 



The Spoon-bill Sturgeon is, in allusion to the singular shape of the head, sometimes 

 called the Paddle-fish. This creature is remarkable for several reasons. In the first place, 

 the uncommonly elongated and flattened snout is sufficiently conspicuous to arrest the atten- 

 tion of even the most casual observer, and in the second place, the body is quite smooth, and 

 wants those bony plates which generally form so characteristic an adornment of the Sturgeon. 

 This remarkable fish is frequently found in the Ohio and Mississippi. 



The Duck-billed Cat. This curiously endowed fish is represented in this country by 

 two species, in two genera — being equally distributed in the fresh waters here and in China. 

 They are embraced in the sub-class. Sturgeons, and in a separate order and a single family. 



