THE BLACKFISH 



Family XVIII. Dalliidcz 



This family contains but one genus and a single species, 

 Dallia pecioralis Bean, known as tiie Alaskan blackfish. It is 

 found only in the streams and ponds of northern Alaska and 

 Siberia, abounding in sphagnum ponds and found in countless 

 numbers "wherever there is water enough to wet the skin of a 

 fish." It forms one of the chief articles in the food of the natives 



Alaskan Blackfish 



who use it also as food for their dogs. It feeds largely upon 

 small plants, worms and crustaceans. Its vitality is extraordinary. 

 It will remain frozen in baskets for weeks and, when thawed 

 out, will be as lively as ever. Turner mentions one swallowed 

 frozen by a dog, thawed out by the heat of the dog's stomach, 

 and vomited up alive. Length about 8 inches. 



