FOREST AND STREAM/ 



277 



—A notft from Mr. Atkins informs us that the spawning 

 BflUBOP at Bucksport lasted from October 31st, until Novem- 

 ber 2Sth. Five hundred and nineteen salmon were re-cap- 

 tured, forly-tme being females and ITS males. Tile whole 

 number of eggs obtained was 3,039,000, which is 700,000 

 more than m any oilier year. The Cost of collecting them 

 is about $2 per thousand Bgftlnst $3.73 last year, and the 

 ratio of eggs obtained to breeding salmon caught has been 

 raised from 3,5(50 to 5,157.— Jt&fae SbmHr. 



—The State Fish Commissioners have placed 3,000 sal- 

 mon trout, for breeding purposes, in the ponds in the 

 neighborhood of Newton, in the northwestern section of 

 the State 



For Forest and Stream. 

 DOMESTIC SPONGES. 



IT is not, generally known that many varieties of sponges 

 arc found growing on our own coasts. The sponges of 

 -commerce come principally from the Mediterranean, the 

 Fed Sea and West Indies, and the popular ideas of the 

 nature of sponges arc all derived from these. They are, 

 however, only the dried remains, the soft parts which once 

 coated the bare tracery of tho skeletons kept for sale hav- 

 ing been removed by maceration in water. When obtained 

 by the divers they are quite solid, with a surface and con- 

 sistency resembling a piece of liver. The large apertures, 

 out of which the water pours in almost continuous streams, 

 may be seen upon the skeletons, but the minute apertures, 

 through which it enters, are visible only when the animal 

 is living, Sea-lungs is certainly the most appropriate name 

 in common use, for these animals are perpetually sifting 

 into their porous bodies, through innumerable minute 

 orifices, the sea water, and spouting it out again through 

 the larger ones. These last are so like volcanic craters in 

 aspect, that a round sponge may be very aptly compared 

 with the rugged, volcano-specked photographs of the 

 moon. The comparison is still more complete when the 

 animal is in full and vigorous action, since the streams of 

 water spouting with great force bring with them immense 

 numbers of small pellets, the lefuse matter, or excrements, 

 which may be. compared to the stones accompanying the 

 fiery stream from the mouth of a crater. Tho interior is a 

 net work of canals lined with a membrane composed of 

 minute animals or cells, each one of which takes into its in- 

 terior the floating animalculaj, digests them,aud casts forth 

 the refuse. This floats on in the channel, which becomes 

 larger and larger by the addition of other canals, each lead- 

 ing from sbme minute orifices in the surface, and each 

 bearing its burden of refuse, until finally, like a swollen 

 sewer, tho enlarged canal shoots forth its burden through 

 one of the craters into the open sea. The water is drawn 

 in by the action of tho innumerable cilia, or hair-liko pro- 

 jections which cover the surface, each little cell of the lin- 

 ing membranes of the canals being furnished with one. 

 These move with such unanimity and force that the water 

 is perpetually drawn in through the innumerable surface 

 pores, and then by the pressure thus created forced out 

 through the points of least resistance the larger canals and 

 openings. The sponges of commerce, however, are only 

 representative of one division, the true horny or keratose 

 sponges; those the skeletons of which contain no spiculos 

 at all. These are not represented ou our North coast at all, 

 except, by a scries of forms such as Chalina arlnmula (Ver- 

 rill,) Chalina oculala (Bowcrbank) and Imdtefya, which have 

 a net work of horny threads, but when examined by the 

 microscope these are found to be largely composed of min- 

 ute spicule, or needles of stiff, hard, flinty texture. These 

 lead into Halkhondria, Cliotia, etc., which, upon our coast, 

 in the shallow waters, represent the next division, or true 

 silicious sponges. In these the spicules are united by a 

 very small quantity of horny matter, or none at all, and are 

 of many and varied forms. The prickling sensation ex- 

 perienced in pressing the common, flat, yellow sponge, 

 suberates found in Martha's Vineyard, is due to these 

 spicules, which penetrate the pores of the skin and cause 

 considerable irritation. 



The most interesting of these is the Vhiona sutphurea, 

 which begins its existence by penetrating the interior of 

 shells, clam shells being a favorite resort. It speed' ly in- 

 creases until the shell is entirely honey-combed, the large 

 exbalenl orifices penetrating completely through to the sur- 

 face on either side. When there is nothing more to con- 

 quer it spreads into the outer world in a yellow, solid mass, 

 with a thick outer rind. Here it voraciously undertakes 

 the consumption of sand, gravel, stones, or anything else 

 which touches its surface, but these being impenetrable, it 

 has to content itself with growing wrong. Then it forms 

 those large, coarse-looking yellow masses so frequently 

 brought up from the bottom by the fisherman. The next 

 division of the sponges are called calcareous, their spicules 

 consisting of lime. These are little bottle-shaped masses, 

 open at one end. Prof. S. V. Veriulj,. 



Srn'ZBEBGEN Mammals. — The animals of Northern 

 countries are few in number. According to recent reports 

 the mammals of Spitsbergen and Nova Zembla, consist 

 chiefly of seals and whales, The terrestrial mammal-fauna 

 comprehends only two species of lemming {Myottestorqtiatm 

 and it. obauis) : the arctic fox, common fox, and wolf and 

 sea-bear among the carnivores, and a single ruminant — the 

 reindeer — seven species in all. The birds are more numer- 

 ous, though here again the marine species far predominate, 

 the land-birds being only ten in number out of a total of 

 fifty. Amongst the former we are surprised to see recorded 



as an accidental visitor the Hoopoe, usually considered as 

 rather an inhabitant of the tropics, but of which a single 

 straggler was captured in Southern Spitzbergen by a mer- 

 chant-vessel in August, 1868. Reptiles are conspicuous 

 only by their absence in Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla, but, 

 of fishes thirty species arc recorded as having been ohttuued 

 on various parts of the coast, all belonging tokuowu forms 

 cither of the Atlantic or of the waters of Northern Asia. 



The Scarcity or Woodcock.— It is noteworthy, if not 

 singular, that the same complaint is heard in England as 

 here, of the unusual scarcity of woodcock this season. Is 

 this merely a coincidence, or is it possible that we are to 

 read the speedy extinction of this bird in its rapid annual 

 decimation? A letter from our correspondent, Jackson Gill- 

 banks, written at Carlisle, Nov. 14th, says: — 



"Our woodcock arc very scarce this season. Although 

 mine is a noted place for them, I have not yd seen one. 

 They become fewer every year, (though many breed here 

 now r ,) and will eventually become extinct." 



THE BLUE BACK TROUT. 



Pinr.ADELPiiiA, Doe. 1, 1874. 

 Editoh Forest and Stream :— 



In response to the call for Information conceruiug this truly interesting 

 fish, I would communicate the following items, which T hope may not 

 prove altogether devoid or interest to yonr readers. Some three years 

 ago my attention was first called 10 this flsh by that well-known woods- 

 man and hunter, Nay. Bennett. It was while camping on Stiirdevntit's 

 Pond, not far from his dwelling, (hat I engaged him as guide to take me 

 to a beaver pond that lay back in the rorcst some si.v or seven mite*, lie 

 assured me that this pond abounded in brook trout of a line size, find 

 most delicious flavor. From bis account I anticipated rare sport, as the 

 pond was seldom visited by anglers. I am glad to be able to say that my 

 most sanguine expectations were more than realized. Such a day's sport 

 seldom falls to the lot of the most enthusiastic and persevering angler. 

 Some day I may give your readers the record of it. While on our way 

 tramping through the woods, among other questions Bennett asked me 

 if I had ever seen a blue back. On replying I never had, he gave me an 

 account of the flsh that excited a special interest in It. I concluded it 

 mnst be a uew species of trout, and from that time became anxious to 

 obtain a specimen forexamioation. While at Rangeley Lake during last 

 season I made the acquaintance of that veteran hunter and gnide, George 

 Soule, a most trustworthy and intelligent man, who has lived some forty 

 years on or near the waters ot Kaugeley aud Richardson lakes. From 

 him I received similar sLfttemenbJ in regard to the blue back. I engaged 

 him to secure and send ou a box of them some time during the past 

 month. For some reason or other they have not yet come to hand. 



In the meantime, however, I received a fine specimen from my son re- 

 siding'at Bangor, Maine, which he wrote me was out.of a lot of ninety- 

 five seat from Rangeley to E. M. Stillwcll, Fish Commissioner. I infer 

 that it was one of the same lot of fish sent ou to Mr. Page of New Vork. 

 I spent some time iu ranking a critical and scientific examination of the 

 specimen and became fully satisfied that its distinctive characteristics 

 were such as to constitute a new species. I searched in vain to find any 

 description or even mention of this singular fish in such works on ichthy. 

 oloay us I possessed, or bad access to. In view of this fact I took the 

 specimen to the. Academy of Natural Sciences as a donation, and at the 

 stated meeting of the members on Tuesday evening the 17th till... gave a 

 minute desn iptiou of it. pointing out t.L>: v|"v tir diMerouoo-:, I'viwcen it. 

 and the salmo fonhnalU. 



There was an unusually full meeting, and the members all seemed to he 

 much interested in what was regarded as a new species, for none or them 

 had ever seen the flsh. before, or met with auy description of it. I was 

 requested lo write out my description and to propose a name, t did so, 

 giving the name of salmo ca.t'uleldois'cti, regarding it as a distiuct aud 

 heretofore uudescribed species of the genus salmo. It was referred to 

 the Standing Committee on Ichthyology. A day or two after this meeting 

 Prof. Lcidy at the Academy, he suggested to me that 1 should send it to 

 Prof, Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, at Washington, forhis opinion. 

 .Dr. L. kindly consented to send it on for me, and this evening handed 

 me Prof. Baud's letter, to useas I pleased. 



The following is a copy of his letter iu reply, and is qnite to the 

 point: — 



VJmTKD States Commission, Fisit ano Fisheries, 1 



Washington, Nov. S7, 1871. f 



ME. 



; Leu 



... I do not need to see it to „..„ 

 the question iu regard to it. They were described many years ago bv 

 Girard ;ts il,o .^o'/, 1 ,.,) nt/uax*ee. Wo receive speemoois ne'arW over,* von 

 from Kaugeley. It, is apparently quite distinct from the coininon 'brook 

 trout. Tours very truly, 



Dr. Joseph Leidv, s. f. Baird. 



Academy Of Sciences, Phila. 



P. 8.— The lish has come, and is Hie S. oguassec. It, will go back to- 

 morrow. See des nptn ■ ,< I Boston Natural Ilistorv. Vol 



IV. 1854, 202. 



In referring to the above volume I find that the blue back was de- 

 scribed and named by Chas. Girard as far back as October 20, 1852. His 

 description is very accurate and interesting, and was given to the Academy 

 of Natural Sciences at Boston subsequent to a visit he made to Hanseley 

 Lake, lie speaks of the fish as being more delicate even than the hroolc 

 trout in its edible qualities. The specific name given by Girard is 

 derived from the aboriginal name of Rangeley, and indicates its locality 

 rather than aby specific characteristic. I have been much interested in 

 the contributions of Geo. S. Page in regard to this fish, appearing as they 

 have just subsequent to my own inquiries in a similar direction. 



C, A. KlNOStltrHY. 



Mr. Eugene Blackford, of Pulton Market, to whom a lot 

 of these lish were consigned, as noticed by us some weeks 

 since, has kindly handed us the subjoined letter from Mr. 

 Milner, which is in reply to a letter of special inquiry from 

 him respecting the blue backed trout. This letter was not 

 received in season for publication in our last issue: — 



United States Commission, Fisii and Fisheries ) 



Washington, Nov. '05, 1874. f 

 Dear Mr. Blackford: 



Tne specimens of the Oquassoc trout came to hand aud were specially 

 valuable for their bright, spawning colors, which were not well retained 

 in the alcoholic specimens we had before received; besides, they were 

 suitable for photograph and cast, which is not the case with specimens in 

 alcohol. 



Ton ask for distinguishing characteristics between thorn and salmo fonti- 

 nalU. It Is not very easy to define s.finttbnaHs from others and similar 

 species, because It ranges through a great variety of forms, which ditler 

 in the general form of the body; the shape of the head, the teeth on the 

 vomer, aud other characters. I enclose you two drawings, displaying 

 the most constant points or difference between salmo oquassa and salmo 

 fontlnalis. 



The type of form in s. oquassa is much more slender, with a tendency 

 in its different parts to prolongation not seen in the brook trout. Thus 

 the length of the fish, compared with tho thickness, with the length of 

 the head, the thickness of the head to the length, the pectoral fin pro- 

 longed to a slender point, the two lobe6 of the caudal extended m the 

 same way, showing a decided furcation, and the opercular bones pro- 

 longed into a more acute angle . 



On the contrary, the maxillary bone extends ranch less far, back of 



the position of the eye, or toward the hinder end or hinge of the lower 

 jaw In the Oquossac Iront. 



The interopercular bone Is much larger In s. oquassa and the suboper- 

 culum is wider. 



The tail.ln salmo fonlinalis i~ more ' rinicatcd than in any species tt is 

 likely to be confounded with. The drawing* show a comparison of the 

 caudal fin when spread and when partially closed. I think the most of 

 these characters will be found constant, even under tho varying forms tbo 

 brook trout assumes. 



Do you ever get any salmon tront or Lake trout from Hamilton county 

 New Tork; from what DeTCay called Louis Lake or Lake Louis? If wo 

 could obtain two or three they would be very valuable in the study of tho 

 lakc-trouts. Iu fact, tho lake (routs from inland waters generally are 

 desirable. 



Tours, James W. Mjlnbb. 



To E. G. Blackford, New Tork. 



[The foregoing letters, it seems to us, cover the ground 

 of inquiry pretty thoroughly. — Ed.] 



Office c 



ScnOTZKK-VEllElN." | 



,, Decembers, 1874. f 



Editor Forest and Strkam:— 



By changing "our" in the MSS into "your" In your Issue of December 



3d, page 265, the whole of my last item is rendered perfect iwtuetmo 



The JISS reads distinctly "In the last issue of our paper" (meaning the 



Schutnen-Zeitung) Please have this corrected. A. von Lehman. 



-••♦- 



RIPE SHAD IN DECEMBER. 



Peekskill, N. T., December 4, 1874. 



Editor Forest and 



As I oauie past the lish market last evening I saw on the slab a fine 

 shad, weighing IJ pounds, full or eggs, and to all appearances just ready 

 to -pawn. Tt, was liken yesto.rday morning in the Hudson Kivcr. about 

 three miles below hero ftiotween Verplanck'a Point and Stony Point), In 

 a T nut, set for bass. The flsh sold for $3. I was told by an old fisher- 

 man standing by, that half grown shad are rrequeutly/nusrht, while ftsh- 

 [0£ foi baas at this season of the year, but that he uewrsuwor heard of 

 anythiuglike this— a ripe female shad in the Hudson m December. 

 Thinking it might interest some of the readers of your very int- • o , 

 jonraal to know of these facts, induced ine to write you. S. II. M, 



■•♦♦■ 



Cambridge, Mass ., November 30, !B74. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



In your issue of the 2511) in st, I note the remarks on the capture of an 

 albino. l'o!i/nb'" S&teflMonalis, in Saiem Harbor, -Mass., by "Ft. L. JHV' 

 After passing through some three or four hands, I hai-e thegood fortune 

 to be the present owner of the specimen, and I must acknowledge It to 

 beoueof the finest and most striking specimens of albinoism I have 

 ever seen. Mr. "N." speaks of not having heard of albinoism oeitmtng 

 among water fowl. To bo euro, It does not occur as frequently in this 

 class of birds as in some others, though I have seen fine specimens of 

 the Anas tophus. QncrquednJa dweors, Bi'cephala Americana, Ifarcdo. 

 g/aciqlis, and 3!*lanett9 tdvetina, pnro v. bite, with tho exception of the 

 teal, which had a decidedly yellowish cast, and partial albinoism in the 

 Bemic.lo brentama. Aijllfjn rnllisueria. lean call to mind some forty 

 or fifty different species in which I have seen this freak of nature repre- 

 sented, some pure white, some pied, while others bore but slight traces. 

 I, for one, shall be pleased to see an account of the capture of any speci- 

 mens of albinoism noted in tho columns of your paper, of which I am a 

 constant reader. Tours truly, Rctuves Dease. 



Tin?. "Wheeler Expedition. — This expedition has re- 

 turned from its arduous labors in Arizona and New 

 Mexico. Dr. Rothrock, the botanist, has collected about 

 900 species of plants, averaging 12 specimens to the species. 

 Many of these will doubtless prove new to science. Special 

 attention was paid to the timber, its abundance and quality, 

 with reference to economic purposes. Tho forage plants 

 were also carefully studied, and attention was given to a 

 statement of their quality and quantity, with reference to 

 their grazing properties in the forthcoming report, Many 

 of the plants now attracting attention among florists are 

 found very abundant in Arizona. 



Professor Heushorn, the zoologist of the expedition, 

 began his collections about the middle of June at Fort 

 Wfngate, and worked south to the Sonora line. He has 

 collected about 1,000 specimens of birds, with a large num- 

 ber of insects, snakes, Sic.., which have been sent forward 

 to Washington, and which will be eventually placed in the 

 Smithsonian Institution. Quite a large number of birds 

 new to our fauna have been found, 



Among other discoveries made was what is believed will 

 prove to be a new variety of deer. It is of very diminutive 

 size, and with this exception nearly resembles the common 

 white-tailed deer. It is found in great numbers all through 

 the southern portion of Arizona territory. The meat of a 

 full-grown doe, after being divested of the entrails, hide, 

 &c. oiily filled a camp kettle, ami was very delicious eat- 

 ing. A fat four-pronged buck-weighed only sixty pounds. 

 Grasshoppers were found with colors brilliant ami beau- 

 tiful as the butterfly, and of great .size. A iully developed 

 black grasshopper was over three inches long. 

 —<-.-*- 



Evolution of tite lToo.— The predecessors or ancestors 

 of the hog, Babirussa.and similar existing animals, are be- 

 ing gradually brought to light by modern palreontological 

 studies, One of these nearest the domesticated form has 

 been found in the miocene of France, and is referred to the 

 genus PatauelMrus. It is also related to tho peccaries, 

 which appear to have existed during the same early perod 

 in North America in considerable abundance. Their ex- 

 istence in South America at the present time is one ot many 

 indications that that region has not advanced in respect to its 

 fauna as rapidly as our own and the old continents. 

 Another miocene genus of bogs is the Statherium, Which 

 has left remains in Franco ami North America. The com- 

 mon species of the Nebraska beds is the jj. WortoMQl 

 Leidy, which was as large as a pig. Its front teeth are 

 much developed, at the expense of the liiii.br ones; and it 

 had bony tuberosities on the under jaw, in the positions 

 now support! mi wattles in the hog. Prof. Cope ot Hay- 

 den's United States Survey, discovered during the past 

 season in Colorado much the largest species ol Wtotherftm, 

 vet known. The skull was longer than that of the Indian 

 Rhinoceros, and the tuberosities of the lower jaw wore 

 greatly developed. The front, pair formed divergent 

 rjra.ucb.es on the lower front of the chin, so that it appeared 

 to bear a horn on each side, Which the animal doubl less 

 found useful in rooting in the earth. The species wassomi- 

 aquatic in its habits, like the Hippopotamus and Diunther- 

 ium; but while these are furnished with extraordinary 

 developments of the lower incisor teeth for tearing up their 

 food, the Elotheiium rainosum is the only animal known 

 which possessed horns in the same position and for the 



