356 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



of Long Lake. The parasites, only a few of which were found on the fin 

 of the fish, were represented by little black specks caused by an encysted 

 worm. In appearance this corresponds very closely with the diplostomus 

 disease described by Dr. Hofer on page 138 of his Hand-book of Fish Dis- 

 eases, published in 1904. The encysted worm occupies the skin of certain 

 fishes during a portion of its development stages. If the affected fish 

 should be eaten by a water-bird the cyst would be transformed into a full- 

 fledged flat-worm. 



Dr. R. S. Ware, of Hague, N. Y., advised the Commission in August, 

 1909, that the black bass caught that season in Lake George near Hague 

 were very frequently infested with a worm of the Taenia type. This is 

 not an uncommon occurrence and it is difficult to advise what to do to 

 prevent this state of affairs, as the final host of the tape worm, affecting 

 the black bass, is probably some species of water-bird which cannot be 

 kept off the lake. 



Bass in Trout Waters 



Many requests have been received from people in different parts of 

 the State for black bass to deposit in waters which the Commission has 

 stocked with trout. This is especially the case in the Adirondacks. A 

 numerously signed petition was received in August, 1909, from people 

 owning property around Star Lake, St. Lawrence county, to introduce the 

 small mouthed black bass in that body of water, notwithstanding the fact 

 that trout had been sent there for many years. As the law forbids the 

 planting of black bass in trout waters, the petitioners changed their request 

 and rainbow trout will be planted instead of bass. 



The question of the introduction of black bass into certain lakes in 

 the Adirondack region has been brought to the attention of the Commis- 

 sioner from time to time. Upper Saranac Lake, in Franklin county, is 

 one of the lakes for which requests have been received to furnish black 

 bass. After having considered the matter most carefully and after con- 

 sultation with the foreman of the Adirondack Hatchery, Mr. Otis, and 

 his predecessor, Mr. Winchester, both of whom reported that no other 

 trout except lake trout are caught in the Upper Saranac, but that the lake 



