762 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XLI 



lakes from the river and continues to come in large numbers so 

 long as a sufficient connection is maintained. To do this it must 

 often make long journeys through rather shallow water in which 

 many obstructions, such as bushes and trees, are frequently met. 

 Thus it finally reaches the lakes in a rather emaciated condition 

 and with its body scarred and scratclied. By referring again to 

 Fig. 1 the river-fish in the middle will be se(>n 'to show such marks 

 even in the photograph. It is e(|uall_v true that the fish in the 

 river-lakes (those lakes more directly connected with the river) 

 migrate out into the river when the water begins to back in during 

 the spring, so that fishermen often abandon their fishing in these 

 places at such a season, since most of the desirable Polyodon have 

 made their escape. 



Spawmxg Habits 



r was inud)le, on either of my trips, to find fishes in a "running" 

 condition or to locate a party in the act of spawning. By con- 

 stantly watching the fish and taking mnnbers in the seine each 



about the middle and latter half of April. The tislt seem to breed 

 only in running watrr. in..st probably in the bayous and small 

 wooded lakes conn(>ct('d with the Mississippi lJi\('r. My reasons 

 for such conchi.ion. may be naih.Mvd from (he follouing ob.crva- 

 tions. 



taken which had their ovaries well fille.l with almost matniv eggs. 

 On April 4, VJOr^ three fVmaU>s of not unusually laroe si/c w<mv 

 examined and contained resp<>ctively sixteen, thirteen, and twelve 



