32 FISHES OF ILLINOIS 



8 or 9 (usually 8); anal rays 8 (sometimes 9); length of pectoral 8 

 to 9 in distance from eye to caudal. Scales 8 or 9, 60-63, 6 or 7 ; lateral 

 line complete. 



This voracious, active, and well-protected fish is a notable winner 

 in the long struggle for existence which its species has maintained, 

 but it is a wholly worthless and destructive'nuisance in its relations 

 to mankind. It is the enemy of practically all the other fishes in 

 •our waters, and so far as it eats anything but fishes, it subtracts 

 from the food supply of the more valuable kinds. It has, in fact, all 

 the vices and none of the virtues of a predaceous fish. On the other 

 hand, it is preyed upon by nothing that swims, and is so well 

 .adapted to the varied features and vicissitudes of its habitat that 

 it is proof against any but the most extraordinary occurrences. 



From its long cylindrical shape and its activity when alarmed, 

 it is not as likely to be held by the fishermen's nets as most other 

 fishes of its weight, and it consequently survives on our fishing 

 grounds in very disproportionate numbers, and diminishes their 

 average productiveness in no small degree. 



It is distributed throughout the Mississippi Valley and Great 

 Lake region and southward into Texas and Mexico. It is abundant 

 also along the Atlantic slope as far north as New Jersey. It is 

 scarce in the smaller streams and is generally more abundant 

 southward. It grows to a length of five or six feet, and is so variable 

 In form and color that local differences have given rise to a consid- 

 erable number of scientific synonyms. In Illinois it is abundant 

 and widely distributed, occurring in all parts of the state, including 

 Lake Michigan. Our 35 collections were made from 14 localities, 

 from Cairo to Chicago and the Rock River valley. It was taken 

 in 9 of our collections from large rivers; iri 2 of those from small 

 rivers; in 4 from creeks; and in 15 from lakes, ponds, and sloughs. 



The long-nosed gar frequents quiet waters, being especially 

 abundant in those more or less stagnant. It occurs on both muddy 

 and sandy bottoms, but has an apparent liking for logs and piles of 

 brush. Although never moving together in schools, gars tend to 

 assemble in large numbers within limited areas. In winter they 

 frequently become so benumbed as to be almost insensible to their 

 surroundings. They are of a sleepy habit and often lie motionless 

 for a long time, returning persistently to the same place when dis- 

 turbed. They frequently come to the surface, and thrusting their 

 bills out of the water, open and close their jaws with a snap. This 

 is the act of "breaking" so familiar to all fishermen, its purpose 

 being to renew the air in the cellular swim-bladder. In " breaking" 



