104 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



mollusks, etc., among its branches. The most abundant form found was the small 

 Crustacea, Gammariis fasciatus, Say, but more generally Gammarus pulcx, already 

 referred to as the fresh water shrimp, Fig. 2. 



This is one of the very best foods, and it is easily transplanted, breeds rapidly, and, 

 with other Crustacea, give the rich red color to the flesh of the fish. Indian Lake, in 

 the Adirondacks, was famous for its trout with deep red flesh and creamy curds be- 

 tween the flesh flakes. Some vandal put pike, the so-called 

 pickerel of this State, in the lake, and they destroyed the trout; 

 but for years after their introduction the pike had flesh of a 



h beautiful pink tinge. I am fully aware that it has been ques- 

 ts 

 " tioned whether the pigment in the shell of the Crustacea is 



i , accountable for the red flesh of the fish that feed upon them ; 



Fig. 2. Fresh water shrimp but p ro f Agassiz has said " the most beautiful trout are found 

 in waters which abound in crustacea, direct experiments having shown that the inten- 

 sity of the red colors of their flesh depends upon the quantity of Gammaridce which 

 they have devoured." 



Lanman has stated : " One principal cause for the great variety in color of the 

 brook trout is the difference of food ; such as live upon fresh water shrimps and 

 other Crustacea are the brightest ; those which feed upon May-flies and other aquatic 

 insects are the next ; and those which feed upon worms are the dullest of all. Trout 

 which feed much on larvae (Phryganidas) and their cases are not only red in flesh but 

 they become golden in hue and the red spots increase in number." The larvae 

 referred to are those of the Caddis fly and will be mentioned later. While food may 

 have something to do with the external coloring of trout, they have power to change 

 their general color to accord with the color of their surroundings, and this doubtless 

 is a provision of nature to enable them to escape from their enemies. 



The shrimp is exceedingly prolific, breeding several times a year, and although 

 it is small (the line under the figure indicating the length of a full grown speci- 

 men), once it is established in a stream it breeds more rapidly than the fish, no 

 matter how plentiful, can eat them. 



Investigation has proven that small crustaceans, either fresh or salt water forms, 

 are the principal food of the shad, herring, whitefish, salmon, trout and smelt. The 

 so-called Otsego bass, a white fish, has a superior flavor, which is attributed to shrimp 

 food. The State has planted thousands of shrimps in waters where they were 

 previously unknown, and with each planting has been sent a quantity of moss from 

 Caledonia Creek, already figured in this paper, which contained other animal forms. 



Another favorite fish food are the various species of May-flies, one of which 

 is figured. At the time this drawing was made for this paper the flies were not to 



