322 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
few inobes deeii. The bottom of the cbamiel, as well as the banks, is composed of 
blnisb clay and the water, in consequence, bad a wbitisb color. In tbe city, and some 
distance below, tbe water was foul with tbe refuse from tbe strawboard works, and 
Avbat few flsb iubabited it were not fit to eat. Temperature of tbe air, 90°; of tbe 
water at a cieiitb of 3 feet, 80°. 
Tbe Miami and Erie Canal crosses tbe river just south of St. Marys. This canal 
is fed from tbe Grand Eeservoir, wbicb bas a width of 4 miles and a length of about 
8 miles. Near St. Marys, where tbe canal is fed from this reservoir, is a lock wbicb 
gives a fall of water of 8 feet. Betw^een this point and where tbe canal crosses the river 
is another lock wbicb has a fall of 7 feet, and where the canal crosses tbe river tbe 
surface of the water in tbe canal is 18 feet above that in the river below. Therefore, 
tbe surface ot tbe water in tbe Grand Reservoir is 33 feet bigber than that in the St. 
Marys River. 
Vegetation was very abundant. Pondweed and arrow-leaf were common. At 
several places water willows were so dense as to almost blockade the stream. Along 
tbe margin of tbe stream were numerous patches of false dragon head and borseweed. 
The St. Marys River was examined at Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio, August 1 
and 2. Here tbe river was fished for a distance of 2 miles. Tbe channel is from 35 
to 40 feet wide; tbe bottom is soft and everywhere covered with Avood, making seining 
very difficult. There are long stretches of quiet Avater, AAffiicb is 18 to 20 inches deep. 
Few riffles. There is no rock exposed in tbe channel, but we were informed that 3 
miles farther doAvn tbe Avater flows over solid limestone rock. Tbe banks of tbe 
channel are about 8 feet high. Tbe laiul along tbe ri\mr is covered with timber, 
mostly oaks, maples, elms, hickory, sycamore, beech, walnut, and willows. 
The St. Marys RiA’er Avas examined at Decatur, Ind., July 31 and August 1. 
Above tbe city tbe channel is of limestone; nearer tbe city it is gravelly or saudj\ 
Where tbe measurements were taken tbe stream Avas 50 feet wide, bad an average 
depth of 0 inches, and a rate of current of 0.85 feet per second. This gives a volume 
of 9,500 gallons per minute. Tbe temperature of tbe water at this point was 76°. Tbe 
Avater was not very clear. Tbe channel is free of vegetation. Along tbe water’s edge 
were borseweed, fog fruit, cocklebur, morning-glory, and white snakeroot. 
Tbe St. Marys River was examined at Fort Wayne, Ind., August 14. 
GORDON CREEK. 
Gordon Creek is a northern tributary to the Maumee River, and it empties into 
the riA'Cr a short distance below Cecil, Defiance County, Ohio. Prof. Meek says of 
Gordon Creek that it is a small stream, and in tbe summer it becomes nearly dry, 
with little or no running water in it. Tbe seining was done by him in a few boles by 
tbe roadside about 1 mile aboAm its mouth, and at Cicero, 10 or 12 miles farther up the 
creek. At tbe latter point tbe creek is little more than a small brook, with muddy 
bottom, with occasional stretches of sand. 
FarloAv’s Pond, a small body of Avater covering about half an acre, during high 
water communicates with Gordon Creek by means of ditches. This pond Avas also 
seined by Prof. Meek. 
LOST CREEK. 
Lost Creek is also a northern tributary of tbe Maumee River, in Defiance County, 
Ohio. Prof. Meek described it as being larger than Gordon Creek, with sandy bottom, 
and that, as it is fed by springs in tbe upper iiart of its course, it is seldom, if ever, 
without running water. 
