NATURALIZATION OF FISHESi 201 



emptying into the Bay of Chaleurs, as to be used for 

 manure ; a barrel of tbem in abundant seasons selling for 

 sixty cents. The average length is not over seven inches, 

 although they have been taken as long as twelve inches. 



Both here and in England the smelt has been naturalized 

 in fresh-water ponds and lakes ; although an interference 

 with their partially anadromous habits, produces genera- , 

 tions of smaller and, perhaps, less palatable fish. The 

 reports of the New England Fish Commissioners give 

 several instances of their naturalization in fresh waters. 

 The Maine report for 1867 has the following : — 



" Smelts are scattered all over the state. It seems pro- 

 bable that we have more than one species. Whether 

 either of them is identical with the salt-water smelt we 

 cannot say, but the resemblance is very close. In several 

 localities they attain a large size. Those of Harrison are 

 said to exceed half a pound in weight, and those of Bel- 

 grade to measure fourteen inches in length. In spring 

 they approach the shores, and are sometimes thrown upon 

 the land by a heavy wind, and perish in great numbers, the 

 shores being lined with the dead. About the 1st of May 

 they ascend the streams. In Monmouth they run into 

 some very small rills that lead into Cocbnewagn Pond, and 

 are dipped out in considerable quantities. In May 1867, 

 after it was supposed they were all gone, a fresh run 

 occurred, that yielded thirty barrels. In quality the fresh- 

 water smelts are fully equal to those from the tide-waters. 

 Those from Monmouth have been placed side by side with 

 smelts from Damariscotta, and received the preference." 



