FOREST AND STREAM. 
847 
open to the sea. One of our officers went about three 
miles up the river above mentioned, and came to a pool 
below some fall, of immense size and deep enough to float 
a frigate. lie said it was full of fish, and he caught a 
salmon. We went up the east arm of the Bay of De¬ 
spair. The river running into the head is the best look¬ 
ing river by far. We saw some flue pools, looking very 
salmonv : yet, beyond a small sea-trout at the mouth, 
there did not appear to be a liring thing in it — the Ashing 
destroyed. I suppose by poaching. The hills in the neigh¬ 
borhood looked quite eligiblo spots for sheep-farmmg, 
being free of timber, and green. We went up the other 
arm of the Bay of Despair to Conn River, where there is 
quito a little settlement. The neighborhood is prettily 
wooded. Lumbering and coopering are carried on here. 
The Conn River is a rapid, shallow and stony-bottomed 
river, destitute of pools; so far as we went, nothing to be 
caught, and, 1 believe, much poached. There is a settle¬ 
ment of Mic Mac Indians at the <mouth, and from their 
beach we caught a good many small sea-trout. I went 
with an Indian to the Little Conn River ; there is a fall 
close to where it runs into the Great Conn River, up 
which I should say that no fish could pass. Under the 
fall was a small but deep pool, out of which some Indian 
boys were pulling small sea-trout as fast almost as they 
put their hook into the water— the bait a bit of fish. We 
caught many with fly. The Indian with me said he be¬ 
lieved that there were thousands in the pool, He said 
there was no use in going higher up the stream, as there 
was nothing to be got. It was only a small shallow 
stream with clear water. There are many deep fiords on 
Lie south coast of Newfoundland, but the flies arefright- 
ful. The chemists at St. John’s profess to give you a kind 
of cold cream which will keep them off ; but as I did not 
believe it I did not try it. Near Lamelin there is a brook 
running into the sea from a small sheet of water, about 
one-third of a mile up. A great many years ago I caught 
in that brook, in about two and a half hours, more sea- 
trout than I could cany, and loaded a man besides—one 
trout running up to three-pound weight. But now it is a 
very different thing ; everything is swept with the net. 
them is a small stream near Trepaney celebrated for its 
hshing, yet they only appear to take in a very limited 
space 'I here is a small pool, not apparently more than 
a yard deep, which appears to hold hundreds. How they 
cau stow themselves away I cannot understand. Be¬ 
tween the pool and the sea (about, I should say, one hun¬ 
dred yards) is the only fishing, One of ours caught a 
salmon in the sea with the fly.— D. M., in Land and 
Water. 
The Berlin International Fisheries Exhibition. — 
It is officially announced that the preparations for the ex¬ 
hibition are progressing in a most satisfactory manner. It 
is now certain nearly all the nations of the world will 
contribute more or less to the exhibition. From numer¬ 
ous countries —for example, from Sweden, Norway, 
Italy, tile Netherlands, Canada, Japan, China, the Malay 
Islands, etc. — considerable collections of exhibits are an¬ 
nounced. The German Emperor has accorded three 
prizes to he given, and others are promised by the King 
of Saxony, the Grand Dukes of Baden, Oldenburg, and 
Schwerin, as well as by the free towns of Hamburg and 
Bremen. The buildings selected for the exhibition are 
the recently erected agricultural museum in the Invalid- 
enstrasse, in conjunction with the premises of the now 
closed iron foundry, and numerous additional annexes. 
covered in its maw another pike fully six inches long, 
This I have since learned from older and more re-lie-able 
fishermen is not an unusual occurrence. 
N. B. — Please send the fish-hook by mail to box 281, 
West Chester, Pa, 
Wait awhile. 
White Wax. —I n making gut leaders and snoods, and 
dressing artificial flies, white wax is frequently prefer¬ 
able to black. The following is an old xeceipe for making 
it: — 
Take two ounces of the best resin and a quarter 
ounce of beeswax, simmer together in a pipkin for ten 
minutes ; add a quarter ounce of tallow; continue to 
simmer for fifteen minutes ; then pour the mass into a 
basin of water, and work it with the fingers until it is 
perfectly pliable, _ 
Movements op the Fishing Fleet,— Seventeen fish¬ 
ing arrivals have been reported at this port the past 
week, six from the Banks with 70,000 lbs. (two fares) of 
halibut and 165,000 lbs. codfish; one from a Bay St, 
Lawrence codiishing voyage ; and ten from Georges, 
with 90,009 lbs. codfish and 8,000 lbs. halibut. Total re¬ 
ceipts for the week. 283,000 lbs. codfish, 78,000 lbs. hali¬ 
but . — Cape Ann Advertiser (Nov. 21st). 
fachfitu] and floating. 
HIGH WATER JTOR THE WEEK. 
Date, 
Boston. 
New York. 
Charleston. 
h, 
m. 
h. 
m 
n. 
m 
Nov. 28. 
11 
A 
50, 
Nov. 529. 
11 
48 
8 
34 
7 
Nov. 30. 
eve 
27 
9 
13 
8 
26 
Dee. 1. 
l 
9 
51 
0 
■1 
Dec. 8. 
X 
4(1 
10 
3:1 
a 
45 
Dee. 3. 
2 
29 
11 
I:. 
10 
Dae. 4. 
3 
11 
11 
57 
11 
40 
Bracket's Fish Portraits at the Seventh Regi¬ 
ment Fair. —In our last issue the printer, who evidently 
puts a small estimate upon the value of fish pictures, 
made the price of the set of Walter M. Brackett's notable 
salmon portraits $13. We wrote $1,800, which is the 
value the artist, places upon them, and not high at that. 
These splendid paintings are one of the most attractive 
exhibits at the armory fair. 
Large Perch.— The English perch evidently hold over 
our own for size. In looking over the report of the an¬ 
nual perch prize competition at the Piscatorial Society’s 
rooms in London lately, we read of one fish weighing 
4 lbs. 2 ozs., caught with a worm, and measuring eight¬ 
een inches in length, The writer speaks of haring caught 
a perch weighing 5 lbs. 3 ozs., and heard of one weighing 
as high as 124 lbs., though inclined to doubt the truth of 
the statement. 
—Trolling for mackerel with a spinner or spoon is a 
favorite sport in some British waters. 
Wants the Fish UooK.-Edi.tor Forest and, Stream: 
—While fishing recently in an inland stream I succeeded 
in catching a pike some four or five inches in length, and 
presenting a bloated appearance. Curious to learn the 
cause, I disembowelled ihe piscatorial trophy, and dis- 
Yaceit Design— Editor of forest and Stream In Mr. Kirby's 
opening article on th is subject, published Nov. Btb, 1870, I take 
exception to a portion of bis letter. Tour correspondent, refer¬ 
ring to the Mohawk-Dauntless race, thinks Mr. Smith is “ mistaken 
to the result while going to windward, hut correct as to going 
before the wind." The reverse seems to me to have been the 
case. One of the titles in the Herald of Oct. 27th, 1875, reads: 
“ The Mohawk the smartest yacht to windward.” 
The sharp, deep model, possessing concavity proportioned to 
he vessel's tonnage, is generally conceded to be superior for two 
reasons: Sailing at a greater angle safely, she can outpoint the 
shingle bottom, and possessing the ability to stow her ballast 
lower, she requires less of it. 
our correspondent's theory is further refuted by these facts: 
The Mohawk capsized, which of Itself is enough to destroy all 
sensible confidence In her. The Columbia, after which she was 
designed more or less, has not hoisted racing colors since that dis¬ 
aster occurred. No new yachts have been constructed on that 
model, and none will be, unless some foolhardy man, possessing 
more moneythan wit, desires to risk 7iisiife experimenting in the 
shallow, if not absurd, theory of six feet, in the water and one 
hundred feet in the air 1 Sailing machines and catamarans have 
gone out. Sailors are looking now for a model which possesses 
not only speed but comfort and sea-worthiness. Consequently 
keels and lead are now displaced by centre-board and sand-bags. 
A little spray on deck is far preferable to live feet of water and 
three inches of mud 'tween decks, to say nothing of the unneces¬ 
sary expense attending the construction of a 300-ton coffin, vastly 
in excess of yachts of more moderate types. 
Your correspondent is also mistaken, I think, in supposing the 
friction to be greater below the surface. He cannot compress 
water, and the friction live feet below the surface Is less that that 
along the water-line, for the reason that the wave action along a 
vessel's side renders it so. 
Designers of concave lines have failed to take Into account the 
important item of rolling, and by this neglect they shift the 
centre of gravity and displace the relations existing between can¬ 
vas and hull, while the latter lies on an even keel of centres of 
effort and centre of gravity. The only solution of this difficulty 
jS to make tho deck and water-linos conform to each other, 
that what Ihe vessel immerses to ieewnrd she will take put, as 
nearly as possible, on the same transverse section to windward, 
and in no model is this factor more advantageously secured than 
that represented by the English cutter. Dbia Hugo. 
Binghamton, A. I'.. Nov. 12th. 
lintorti. 
CALIFORNIA FISHES. 
Hp'HE following detailed description of the varieties of 
1 fish brought into the San Francisco markets was 
sent to the United States Fish Commission by Mr. B. B, 
Redding, Fish Commissioner of California, in response to 
the circular sent out by the Commission: — 
Fish constitute a very important article of diet in this 
city and county, and ninety-three different varieties of 
fresh fish are sold in the San Francisco market. The sup¬ 
plies are obtained from the Sacramento and San Joaquin 
Rivers, the Bay of San Francisco, Monterey Bay, Toura- 
les Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Flounders "and other flat 
fish are numerous and largely consumed in San Fran¬ 
cisco. In their season are to be found in the market hal¬ 
ibut (Hippoglossus vulgaris), Monterey halibut ( Paralich - 
thys maeulosus), sole, or black-dotted flounder ( Psettich - 
thys melanostictus), large-eyed flounder (Hippoglossoides 
Jordani), left-handed flounder ( Citharichthys sordidus), 
short-firmed narrow sole ( Olyptocephalus Pacificus), long- 
finned narrow sole ( Glyptoesphalus zachirus), turbot, 
(Pleuroniehthys guttulatus), bastard turbot or check- 
finned flounder ( Pleuroniehthys ccenosus), diamond 
flounder ( Parophrys vet ulus), mottled flounder ( Lepidop - 
setta bilineata ), rough flounder (Lepidopsetta umbrosa). 
striped-finned flounder ( Platichtliys stellatvs), Tom cod 
are numerous, and considered one of the most delicately 
flavored of fishes, procurable at all seasons. The Tom coil 
of the Bay of San Francisco ( Mierogadus Californitnis ) 
differs from the Eastern species of that name. 
A whiting (Merlueius produetus) is found in the mar¬ 
ket in September. There are nine species of rock-fish 
found in the market during all tho months of the year, 
viz. , small-scaled rock-fish ( Sebaslodespaueispinis ), black- 
banded rock-fish ( Sebastichthys nigrocinctus ), rough-red 
rock-fish (Sebastichthys ruber), clouded rock-fish (Sebas¬ 
tichthys nebulosus), pink-spotted rock-fish (Sebastichthys 
fascia'tus), black rock-fish (Sebastichthys melanops), yel¬ 
low rock-fish ( Sebastichthys flavidtts), black-eared rock- 
fish (Sebastichthys auriculatus), smooth red rock-fish 
(Sebastichthys pinniger). 
There are three kinds of sea .bass, viz., sea bass (Atrac- 
toscion nobilis), litvle bass or king-fish ( Oenyonemns Une- 
atus), the large-mouthed king-fish (Ser iphuspulitus). No 
varieties of perch are found identical with the Atlantic 
species. There are thirteen species, viz., black perch 
(Embiotoca Jacksoni ), handed perch (Embiotoca laterale), 
orange finned perch (Hypsurus earyt), thick-lipped perch 
(Bhacochilus toxotes), small silver perch ( Phanerodon 
furcatus), gray perch (Damalichthys caeca), large shiner 
(Cimatogaster aggregates}, large-eyod perch (Hyperpros- 
apon megalops), silver peich (II. argenteus and II. arcua- 
t its), Agassiz’s perch {II. Agassizii), red-finned silver perch 
(Holcoutus rhodotems), cross-banded silver perch (,4m- 
phislichus argenteus), Sacramento River perch ( Archop- 
lites interruptus). and Jew-fish (Stereolepis gigas). 
Of the Scombridce there are Spanish mackerel (Scomber 
oolias), Monterey tunny ( ChHomitra con color), striped 
tunny (Sarda ehUensis-lineolata), pompano (Poronotus 
simiUimus), and home mackerel (Trachums symmelrieus). 
A uuiUet (Mugilsp.) is occasionally in the market, sup¬ 
posed to be the product of those imported from the Haw¬ 
aiian Islands and planted by the Stato Fish Commission¬ 
ers. There are two varieties of fish called smelt, not 
identical with the Atlantic species — large mullet smelt 
(Uliirostoma Californiensis), and small mullet smelt 
(Atherinope afiinis). There are also two varieties of true 
smelt (Osmems thaleiclithys and O. elongatus), About 
3,000,000 pounds of fresh salmon (Oncotynchus quinnat) 
are annually brought to the market Horn the Sacramento 
and San Joaquin rivers. 
The shad on this coast are the product of those given 
to the State by the United States Fish Commissioner. 
They are becoming numerous, several thousand being 
brought to market between January and July, 1879, and 
finding a ready sale at 75 cents a pound. The Pacific 
coast herring or Anchovy (Engraulis ringens ) is in mar¬ 
ket every month. 
I Suckers (Catostomus occidentalis), German carp, orig¬ 
inally brought from Europe (Carassinus vulgaris), Sacra¬ 
mento pike-headed gila (Ptychocheilus grandis), and split 
tail (Pogouichthys iiiivquilobus), are almost always to be 
found. The short-nosed sturgeon (Acipenser brachyryn- 
C hus), is sold annually to the extent of 300,000 pounds. 
Lampreys are very abundant, but never eaten. 
Squid are numerous, but are not brought to market. 
They are retained for consumption by the Greek, Italian, 
and Portuguese fishermen. Shrimp are common and 
used principally by the Chinese. Nearly $500,000 worth 
are annually exported to China. Crabs are largely con¬ 
sumed, and are obtained in several varieties, some weigh¬ 
ing as much as two and a half pounds. Clams are also 
abundant and largely used. Fresh-water turtles are 
nearly always in the market. Large quantities of trout 
are brought to market. The most abundant are the Lake 
Tahoe trout ( Salvelinus of Salmo Uenshaivi), known as 
the silver trout and the black trout (S, tsuppiich). These 
average five pounds in weight, and often weigh fifteen 
pounds. Occasionally are foiyid the Pacific coast brook 
trout (S. iridea) and the Humboldt River trout (S. vir- 
ginalis f) The fish Bold in the San Francisco market as 
salmon trout are, first, salmon grilse weighing from half 
a pound to three pounds ; and second, brook trout (S. 
iridea) from short coast streams emptying directly into 
the ocean. This brook trout, which at the sources of 
rivers does not grow to exceed two pounds in weight, will 
in salt and brackish water at the mouths of rivers often 
weigh six and eight pounds. Carp are frequently in mar¬ 
ket, and are the product of nine fish brought from Ham¬ 
burg by Mr. A. J. Poppe, of Sonora County, which have 
been widely spread over the State. Cat-fish (Amiurus 
dtbidus ) were some years since brought to the State by 
the California Fish Commission. They have increased 
very rapidly, and are to be found in market throughout 
the year. 
Remarks. —All the principal fishes here mentioned are 
scientifically described in Hallook’s “ Sportsman’s Gazet¬ 
teer,” which is exclusive in this respect. — [E d, 
\y 
Fish Eating Characteristics of the Black Snakes. 
— The black snake, like the Chinese, seems to adapt itself 
and mode of living to its surroundings. In the stag¬ 
nant pools and marshes it stretches out on a log or reed, 
to® lazy to catch a line fish or any other animal than those 
which are fascinated by its glance. But this species is 
not always found in circumstances of this nature, and 
hereby hangs a tale. 
In 1877 the writer was engaged in the U. S, Government 
engineering operations on Lake Erie. An examination of 
the topography of this body of water shows its shore to 
be made up in places of vast marshes, hundreds of square 
miles in area ; on one hand, again a stretch of shore line 
of high bluffs, and precipitous rocks on the other. The 
surface of the lake figures with an immense number of 
islands and rocky ancl pebbly reefs. The condition of the 
lake and the isolation of many of its island reefs and 
marshes, render it a secure retreat of literal thousands of 
the slimy, sickening black and water snakes. It was ren¬ 
dered necessary for our very comfort in camp that hun¬ 
dreds of these hand-maids of Satan should be slain. Well 
does the writer remember one six-footed, broad-should¬ 
ered fellow, who would wade in the water up to his 
shoulders, suddenly catch an unsuspecting snake by the 
tail and snap his head off so quick that it landed in the 
snake’B paradise with no knowledge of the mysterious 
force that sent it there. In the little pebbly shoals in the 
centre of the lake these reptiles were found abundantly, 
or elsewhere closely watched by the arctic and black terns 
which kept them away from their eggs. The story easily 
draws its own conclusions ; there was nothing else to eat 
but fish, the main portion of which were the leavings of 
the terns and herring gulls. But to he more accurate, I 
may testify, and can bring other members of the party— 
some thirty in all— to substantiate the. same, that it was a 
frequent occurrence to see a blacksnakeswimmingabout 
its head six inches above water, with a small fish in its 
mouth. It is freely confessed that I never saw them 
have fish, ’except on Lake Erie, and for the life of me I can 
conceive of nothing else for them to got in many places. 
The fish of which we observed them to partake most finely, 
was a small bullhead, near tho marshes. In the reel's, 
however, any species seemed in demand. 1 cannot leave 
these reefs until I relate an incident foreign to the matter: 
One day we stopped on an island known as the “ Old Hen , ” 
quite near the East Sister, to dine. So thick were the 
snakes, however, that it was found too sickening to eat 
until they were cleared away, The party began opera¬ 
tions, and as fast as a snake was despatched it was thrown 
on top of a huge rock in a common heap. When we were 
through and the party exhausted, the snake community 
was diminished by several hundreds, while in a quiet re¬ 
treat we dined in peace. A visitation to the place a month 
later showed a great heap of skeletons winch would have 
delighted some naturalists. Out Of sight of land, and in 
a territory Beldom invaded by man. these snakes accumu¬ 
late in untold numbers, so that it was no common occur- 
