to 



six to twelve inches. Vulgar names Ribbonfish and Garfish,' 

 2s T ot used as food. Abdominal fins narrow almost linear acute t 

 and with two transverse black bands, situated halfway between 

 the pectoral and anal fins. This last far from the tail. 

 XXVII Genus. Pike. Esox. Brochet. 

 Body cylindrical or very long covered with small scales, vent; 

 posterior. One dorsal fin behind the abdomiual fins. Mouth, 

 large, jaws long and flattened with very strong teeth: opening 

 of the gills very large. Head bony scalcless. Tail not obli- 

 qual. All the fins with rays. 



There are several species of Pikes in the Ohio, Mississippi, 

 Wabash, Kentucky, Sec- I have not yet been able to observo 

 them thoroughly. I have however procured correct accounts, 

 and figures of two species; but there are more. They appear 

 to belong to a peculiar subgenus distinguished by a long dorsal 

 fin, a forked tail, and the abdominal fins anterior, being remov- 

 ed from the vent. It may be called Picorellus. The French 

 settlers of the Wabash and Missouri call them Piconeau, and 

 the American settlers Pikes or Pickerels. They are perma- 

 nent but rare fishes, retiring however in deep waters in winter. 

 They prefer the large streams, are very voracious, and grow t» 

 a large size. They prey on all the other fishes except the Gar - 



fishes, &c. Tl 10 }- mrt* pasily taken with the hook, and a fiord ft 

 tery good food, having- * A»\ic-*t*. u><*h. 



84th Species. Streaked Pike. Esox vittatut. Brochet 

 raye. 



""White, with two blackish longitudinal streaks on each side, 

 back brownish: jaws nearly equal, very obtuse, eyes large and 

 brhind the mouth: dorsal fins longitudinal between the abdomi- 

 nal and anal fins, tail forked. 



E,viitatii3. Raf. in American Monthly Magazine, 131* 

 Volume 3, page 447. 



This fish is rare in the Ohio, (although it has been seen at 

 Pittsburgh,) but more common in the Wabash and Upper Mis- 

 sissippi. It is called Piconccu or Picaneau by the Canadians 

 and. Missouiians. It reaches the length of from three to five 

 feet. The pectoral and abdominal fins are trapezoidal, the anal 

 and dorsal longitudinal with many rays and nearly equal. It is 



