WHITEFISHES, LAKE HER&RRINGS, AND INCONNU. 497 
bottom, though mud bottom is frequently used. In the American portions 
of Lake Ontario the spawning takes place almost entirely in the month of 
November. The Ciscoes of Lake Ontario run from less than a pound to 
14 pounds, though it is said they are sometimes taken, weighing 2} or even 
4 pounds. 
“In Lake Erie this species exists in greater abundance than elsewhere. 
Its spawning seasons and habits are not known to differ materially from 
those of the Lake Ontario fish.” 
Another “Lake Herring” of considerable commercial importance is the 
“ Black-fin ” or “ Blue-fin” (Argyrosomus nigripinnis), of the deeper-water 
lakes of Lake Michigan. It keeps to the deep water at all seasons, al- 
though early in November it resorts to those of less depth ; that is, 60 to 80 
fathoms. It is fished for again in May at a depth of 100 fathoms or more. 
THE TULLIBEE. 
Still another Whitefish of much importance, but more so in Canada than 
in the United States, is the Tullibee or Mongrel Whitefish (Argyrosomus 
tullibee). This species was first described in 1836 by Richardson, from 
specimens caught in Pine Island Lake, near Cumberland House, British 
America. Since then it has been recorded from Albany River district, 
Hudson Bay, Albany River, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Qu’Appelle River, 
and North Minnesota, as well as from Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnipeg, 
and Manitoba. 
According to Evermann and Smith, “ the Tullibee attains a length of eigh- 
teen to twenty inches and a weight of three and a half pounds. Its food 
32 
