231 
FOREST AND STREAM 
It was about five o’clock when we reached tins place, and 
the slanting sunbeams, playing over the loftv tree tops, told 
that the sun was rapidly approaching the horizon. Hut very 
little of bis light had reached us in the oaken woods, and when 
we entered the bottom it ceased altogether. It would have 
been wiser, perhaps to Lave hesitated before entering such 
a place at such an hour, and to have waited till morning be- 
fore attempting such a passage, and Nichols urged me to this 
course But I' was not to bo convinced that the tract was oi 
any considerable width, and as we had now both agreed that 
Nichols had been in the wrong about the proper direction m 
the morning, he reluctantly assented to the venture, and to- 
gether we entered the gloom. 
It was not loDg before I realized our mistake. The sun set, 
and to replace bis light, nor moon nor star shed their rays down 
through the needles of the overshadowing pines. A veil of 
thin, hazy clouds draped the heavens, completely shutting oil 
all light. Before we had ridden a quarter of a mile, we were 
not only not able to distinguish the “ blazes” on the trees, but 
were straining our eye9 to keep from running our horses 
heads against the trees themselves. The darkness was so in- 
tense that Nichols swore he could feel it give way as he urged 
his pony through it. At the same time a dampness, as of a 
thick fog, became palpable to the senses, and besides damp- 
ening our clothes, chilled our bodies to the bone. At last, as 
by a common impulse, we drew rein to consult as to what was 
to he done. 
We did not stop long. We felt it would be a mere waste 
of time. There was but one course open to us now, and that 
was to go on. We could not go back. We would have been 
as likely to lose the way as by going forward- Neither could 
we camp where we were. . Whether cowards or not, we would 
not have dared to go to sleep in such a place. The very air 
seemed redolent with death. It was a spot where malaria 
might exult to dwell, and to have slept all night on that slimy 
soil, inhaling the noxious vapors which seemed to permeate 
the atmosphere, would have been certain to implant in our 
systems some dreadful miasmatic disease. We deemed it 
compulsory, almost, to go on. We did not try to distinguish 
the road any longer, for all 6uch effort was evidently vain. 
By conversing we contrived to keep together, save when 
obliged to swerve to one side by an intervening tree. We 
could not see the trunks, but trusted solely to the instincts of 
our animals. We could not even see eoch other, and were 
only conscious of each other’s presence by our conversation 
and the occasional rubbing of our ponies' sides. 
Deeply disagreeable as this place was — and it promised to 
be even more so— it was possible, os we learned before es- 
caping from it, for something still more disagreeable to occur. 
Wc came to a place where there was water. It was a muddy 
bayou, perhaps, or it might have been some running stream 
emptying into the Ited. We could not sec it to judge of its 
character. We only knew of its existence by its effects. My 
first intimation of it was feeling my horse’s shoulders sudden- 
ly sink, and the next instant find him swimming under me. 
So sudden was the plunge that, not dreaming of such a con- 
tingency, I was quite startled, and in the surprise my rifle 
slipped out of my hands and fell with a plunge into the water, 
taking along with it the raccoon, which, for convenience sake, 
I had carried tied to the muzzle of the piece. I could not 
stop and look for it, for the horse was swimmiDg vigorously 
ahead, and, great as the loss was, 1 was compelled to submit 
to it. The pony soon reached the land, having swum, per- 
haps, a dozen lengths, and I halted and shouted to Nichols, 
whom I had not heard for several minutes past. He had been 
carried away by the water to some distance, and his answer- 
ing shout seemed to come from some gloomy depths ; but by 
shoutiDg (o each other he was enabled to find hi9 way up to 
me, and we again rode on, this time not quite so briskly as 
before. 
How long we rode in this darkness we could not tell, when 
We finally emerged from it We felt instinctively that we 
had los l the road, but when or where we could not tell. The 
width of the bottom we could not guess at, for we did not 
know but we had ridden in a circle. We only knew it seemed 
to us that we had ridden many hours and passed over many 
miles of territory. The darkness ever lengthens the hours, 
haunted by thoughts of dread and crowded with nightmares 
of reality, and whether we passed a longer or shorter time in 
the bottom, it seemed to us an age. At last, however, we 
emerged from it. We got at last out from among the pines, 
off of the slimy soil, and to a place where, through an open- 
ing in the trees, we could discern the murky sky. The first 
sign we received of our exit was the brushing of grass against 
the horses’ feet and the occasional rubbing of underbrush 
against our legs. We could also tell by the firmer tread of the 
animals that we were off the slimy mud, and we no longer 
felt the disagreeable dampness which bad exuded therefrom. 
Rolling some old letters into a taper, I halted for a moment 
and ignited the roll, which made a brilliant, though 
ephemeral, light. By this blaze we saw that we were in one 
of those small glade* or savannahs, which are so abundant in 
these woods. Arouhd us we could see the oak trees, and at 
our feet the rich rank grass. In the centre of the glade, just 
as the light was flickering out, we noticed a small bush grow- 
ing, and i he n< xt moment we were in total darkness again. 
As we could gain nothing by going further that night, we 
determined to 6top here until morning, which we thought 
could not be far distant. We picketed our horses to the little 
hush, and having arranged our traps as well as possible under 
the circumstances, without thinking of supper or even of our 
prayers, we soon forgot our trouble in sleep. 
Gtrr Rivers. 
SPl 
[FROM OUB REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.) 
Abstract of the Twelfth Annual Report of 
the Commissioners on Inland Fisheries, 
Massachusetts, for the Year Ending 
Jan. 1, 1878. 
M ASSACHUSETTS was a pioneer in the work of fish- 
culture, and the efforts of their able commissioners 
have been well directed and rewarded with very encouraging 
results. The work of the past year has been directed to the 
introduction of a variety of food fishes. A number of streams 
have been reopened and stocked with alewives. 
As a result of the suicidal conduct of the fishermen on the 
Merrimac, the supply of shad has been even smaller than was 
anticipated. The Commissioners complain of the short-sight- 
ed action of the shad netters In destroying the source of their 
own revenue; and we presume that this stupidity of other- 
wise sensible people— which, we need not state, is no 
fined to Massachusetts fishermen-is one of those paradoxes 
which will probably puzzle us as long as there are Ashes anc 
fishermen. There is reason to hope, however, that the disas- 
trous result of the past injudicious greed may, for a time at 
least, teach the wisdom of less greedy conduct. We regret to 
learn of the still unsettled difficulty between the States of 
Massachusetts and Connecticut Au appeal from the Com- 
missioners of the former State to those of the latter, to so 
regulate the shad fisheries of the Connecticut that MassacMh- 
setts might derive some deserved revenue from that industry, 
has proved ineffectual to remedy the above. 
Two hundred thousand California salmon spawn received 
in 1870, 180,000 were hashed aud delivered, 10,000 going to 
Saugus River, 30,000 to North River, 50,000 to Lancaster, 
and the rest to the head waters of the Merrimac. '1 here is, 
however, a mystery about the young of these fish which has 
yet to be solved. Notwithstanding the hundreds of thous- 
ands that have been put into New England waters, no one has 
yet been able to say with certainty that he has seen a single 
smolt. Either they cannot endure the winter in our rivers 
(which is not probable), or the smolts so closely resemble the 
young of Salmo solar that they cannot be distinguished, or, 
what is most likely, their habits lead them into deeper and 
warmer water, and they drift earlier to the sea. 
The^distribution of the 150,000 young land-locked salmon 
was to the following]ponds : 
Wakefield, 4,000; Waltham, 1,200; Lunenburg, 4,000, 
Lincoln, 4,000; Middleborough, 20,000; Newton, 3,000; 
South Weymouth, 4,000; Winchendon, 4,000; Greenwood, 
4 000- East Bridgewater, 4,000; Ashburnhurn, 5,000; Box- 
ford, 3,000; Middleton 2,500 ; WeUfleet, 5,000; Georgetown, 
4 000; Wilbrahom, 5,000; Sandwich, 4,000; Framingham, 
5,000; Natick, 4,000; Pittsfield, 5,000; Nantucket, 2,500; 
Berlm, 3.000; Braintree, 3,000; Lancaster, 15,000; Duxbury, 
6 000 ■ Halifax Pond, Plymouth, 10,000 ; Shawshire River, 
8^000; Huntington, 3,000; Medford and Winchester, 2,000; 
Essex, 4,000. 
Recent experiments with the 8almo solar, and observa- 
tions on the Merrimac, appear to indicate that none of the 
young salmon go to sea before they are two years old, and 
that during that time they are to be found at all seasons in the 
headwaters of the streams in which they are deposited. An- 
other important fact has been ascertained, which may save ex- 
pense in stocking rivers. Many of the fry deposited about 
two miles above Livermore Falls went twenty or thirty miles 
up the river, ascending the mountain streams, and pushing 
into all the tributaries, their instincts leading them into 
waters too rapid and cool to sustain perch and pickerel, and 
where their only enemies are brook trout and the piratical 
poachers calling themselves anglers. 
The return of mature salmon to the waters of the Merrimac 
tliis year commences a new era in the history of fish culture 
in this country. It is, therefore, with feelings of the greatest 
pleasure that the commissioners present the report of Thomas 
S. Holmes, of what he found passing over the Lawrence 
fishway during the past season, which report records the pas- 
sage of salmon in June and July. 
In addition to the above record there was a fall run of 
salmon, which commenced Oct. 11 and ended Oct. 30. These 
fish, s > far as seen in the way, were from six to ten pounds 
in weight. Much larger ones may have passed over, as Mr. 
R. R. Holmes saw one three feet long, near the hatching- 
house at Plymouth, the first of November. 
The sucoess of salmon culture is therefore assured, and 
there is no reason, except our ovn want of management, our 
own neglect of that with which Nature has so bountifully 
provided us, why our rivers Bhould not be as productive as 
those of Europe. Under proper culture, with wise regula- 
tions, strictly enforced, it is not easy to over-estimate the ad- 
vantage that may accrue to the State by successfully carrying 
out what has already been demonstrated. 
To this end we have united with the commissioners of New 
Hampshire in establishing, at Livermore Falls, a hatching 
house and ponds, supplied with both spring and river water. 
These are situated within a stone’s throw of the river, where, 
by means of weirs, the spawning salmon can be turned into 
them. It is reasonable to think that the establishment may 
do as well as ihe celebrated one at Bucksport, conducted so 
skillfully by Mr. Atkins. The cost of these works will be 
small, probably not exceeding $4,000. In 1871 the price of 
salmon spawn in Canada, the only place it could be obtained, 
was $40 per 1,000 in gold. The salmon works at Penobscot, 
Me., afterward reduced the price one-half ; and subsequently 
the Bucksport establishment, started by the commissioners of 
Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, afterward assisted by 
Ihe U. 8. Commissioner, was able to furnish spawn at about 
$3 per 1,000. 
FISH CULTURE IN WEST VIRGINIA. 
Ronceverte, Greenbrier Co., W. Va.,) 
April 23, 1878. / 
Editor Forest and Stream : 
Dear Sir — You will no doubt be interested in hearing some- 
thing about what West Virginia (following the good example 
set by so many of the other States within the last few years) 
has been doing in the matter of fish culture. As the popula- 
tion of the State consists principally of small farmers or cattle 
men, scattered about over a territory in many places wild and 
rough, and taken altogether is not much more ihan half that 
of the city of Philadelphia, the State cannot afford to spend 
very large sums on public improvements. 
However, an appropriation of $20,000 was judiciously ex- 
pended at the Centennial and a creditable display made of 
coal, timber and other resources of the State. Last year a fish 
commission was appointed and au appropriation of $3,000 
made to begin operations with. 
The commissioners are John W. Harris, Esq., of Louishurg. 
Greenbrier Co., Pres, of the Board, and Messrs. Henry B. 
Miller, of Wheeling, and C. S. White, of Romney. The com- 
mission could not get to work until quite late for operations 
last year, but a hatchery was established at Roaney, and from 
eggs bought in Pennsylvania about 175,000 brook and salmon 
trout were hatched and distributed to various streams through- 
out the Stale. More of these would have been placed in the 
streams by the commission, but about the time the fry were 
ready to distribute the hatchery was robbed and quite a num- 
ber of fish taken off, presumably by persons who did not want 
them sent away from their part of the country. 'I here were 
placed in the Ohio River 12,000 California salmon. There 
were also placed in the Greenbrier River at Ronceverte 5,000' 
of the same fish. These fish, unless they will in lime become 
land-locked, would hardly benefit the Greenbrier, I think. 
The journey is a long one from the 6ea to the^ mouth of the 
Ohio, let alone the ascent of the latter to the Kanawha, that 
to the New River, and that again to the Greenbrier. New 
River would he a fine stream for such fish along the lower 30 
miles of its course, as it runs through a canyon and is very 
rough and affords a fine mixture of falls aud pools. Of the 
shad put in the Greenbrier some five or six years ago nothing 
has ever been seen since that I can discover. Shad have, 
however, appeared in the Kanawha, several well authenticated 
instances having occurred when they were captured. The shad 
is so timid a fish and not very hardy that I would doubt its 
making the long journey here from salt water if there were no 
obstacles, but I have no idea that shad could get over the falls 
of the Kanawha -or Richmond's Falls on New River. These 
are actual falls, not rapids. The rapids themselves would like- 
ly deter shad from getting up New River. The Greenbrier 
River is singularly destitute of fish affording any pleasure in 
the catching. Catfish, caught by the Datives ou lay-out lines, 
or, as they call them, “trot lines," and a few “horny head - ’ 
chub being about all the fish in the stream except at the ex- 
treme head waters in the upper end of Pocahoutas Co., where 
there are some trout. There are no good trout streams flow- 
ing into the Greenbrier. The stream would be a pleasant 
one to fish aud quite easy of access as the C. & O. R. R. fol- 
lows it for 40 miles of its lower course, and the valley is well 
settled up stream for 70 or more miles, aud nearly to its head. 
Last autumn 500 black bass from three to five inches long were 
put in the Greenbrier at the Kanawha Pike bridge, five miles 
above Ronceverte, and 300 in New River near Richmond's Falls, 
This spring there have been put in the Greenbrier at Ronceverte 
7,000 land-locked salmon and 150 black bass : the salmon 
some time before the bass. The latter were all fine, full grown 
fish— spawners. If the bass take as well to the Greenbrier 
as they did to Jackson River and the James, where there is 
now fine fishing to be obtained by leaving the C. & O. R. R. 
at Clifton Forge, there will be a fine stream for the aDgler in a 
few more seasons. The commissioners expect to get another 
appropriation at the next session of the Legislature, and it is 
to he hoped that they will be enabled to go on with the work 
no w begun. Truly yours, C. C. 
SALMO SALAR IN THE MISSISSIPPI, 
Jacksonpokt, Ark., April 15, 1878. 
Editor Forest and Stream : 
Concerning the salmon reported a week or two ago in your 
paper as having been taken in the Mississippi at Memphis, I 
regret to say that in all human probability his front name is 
Jack ; in other words, he was a jack salmon, Ohio River 
salmon, glass-eyed pike, American pike perch (Lueio perca). 
Mottling, resembling that of the rattlesnake, is not at all un- 
usual in full-growu specimens of this fish, ns taken in the 
waters of this vicinity. If southern correspondents would re- 
member that the true salmon has all soft-rayed fins excepting 
the second dorsal, which is adipose, and that no fish with 
spine-rayed back fin is of that genus, a great deal of confu- 
sion and inaccuracy would be spared us. . w t 
While on this subject I would like to say, by way of 6Ug- 
gestion merely, that the difficulties in the solution of the 
problem of stocking Mississippi waters with the California 
salmon ( Salmo quinnat ) would probably be materially les- 
sened if fish could be placed iu the White River of Arkansas, 
somewhere above the mouth of Black. My reason for this 
faith is that pure cold mountain water, flowing with a rapid 
current over rock and gravel bottom, can be reached from the 
sea on this river by a route several hundred miles shorter 
than any other. A glance at any good map will conclusively 
show tbis. My opinion is founded on the best observations I 
have been able to make. Difficult as I recognize this problem 
to be, I can but believe that should specimens of the fish ever 
reach the mouth of the White River on their upward journey, 
all inseparable obstacles might be considered as surmounted. 
The character of the water, except at the veiy highest stage, 
would be well guited to the continuance of the journey ; 
much better than any part of the Arkansas, Missouri or 
Mississippi, and equally as favorable as the Ohio, and much 
nearer the Gulf. 
The upper waters of the river can be reached by way of 
Springfield, Mo. If success be possible, I can conceive of no 
achievement more important. Yell. 
Stbiped Bass (Koccus Lineatus) in Fresh Water.— 2?os- 
ton, April 24. — Genio O. Scott says in his book that striped 
bass can he acclimated in fresh water : 
“ For a few weeks iu the estuaries of the southern coast of 
Cape Cod, school bass ( i- e., from two to five pounds) can be 
taken, at certain periods of the tide, as fast almost as the line 
can be rebaited and got into the water ; and within two or 
three miles of these places are large fresh water ponds or 
lakes so full of feed that the numerous black bass that are 
there can with difficulty be persuaded to bite. It would 
he the easiest thing in the world to put in several hundred 
striped bass in a season, and if they would thrive and multi- 
ply, a very gamey and bold-biting fish could be added to our 
waters. Doctor. 
[Some steps have been taken to propagate striped bass in 
Coney Island Creek, near this city, though no really practical 
measures have yet been adopted. We wish our Boston friends 
"would undertake the work. A variety of striped bass (Jfoc- 
cus ehrysops) is found abundantly in the tributaries of the* 
Mississippi River, and notably in Murdoch Lake, near St. 
Louis. The bass ought to thrive in fresh water.— Ed.] 
Fisn Mortality.— There is a reported mortality among the 
black bass in Hobomock pond, Pembroke, Mass. Similar 
troubles in New Jersey waters were reported in Townsend 
stream last year, but two months later in the season. The 
Hobomock pond water is pure and clear, and no adequate 
reason can be assigned for the mortality. We suggested last 
June that there might be some fatality among the larvte and 
Crustacea upon which the fish feed, or to poisonous gases per- 
colating through the earth from beneath. Fish Warden Pier- 
son, of Morris county, N. J., ascribed it to the peculiarly 
warm spring. Who can explain it ? 
