184 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
40 . Alosa sapidissima (Wilsou).* Shad. 
This valuable fooil-tish ascends the river in spring, usuallj" reaching the Di.strict about April 1. 
The upper limit of its range is the Great Falls, where numbers are taken by means of long-handled 
dip nets, the fishermen standing on the rocks. It is the object of extensive fisheries carried on with 
seines, gill nets, and pound nets, and is the most highly esteemed and important Ibod-lish of these 
waters. Its abundance in the Potomac is chielly dependent on artificial propagation, as a very large 
part of the run each season is caught before the fish have reached their spawning-grounds in fresh 
water. The average weight of males or “ bucks” is 3 pounds and of females or “roes” 4^ pounds. 
41 . Brevoortia tyraunus (Latrobe).* Menhaden; “Bugjish”; “Aleivife.” 
This salt-water fish is a straggler within the District, occasionally ascending the river in dry 
weather as far as Fort Washington. At Bryan Point, Maryland, several hundred were taken at one 
seine haul in June, 1892. 
ENGRAULIDIDiE. The Anchovies. 
42 . Stolephorus mitchilli (Cuvier & Valenciennes).* Anchovy. 
M.any specimens of this salt-water species have been taken in fall in the river channel off Bryan 
Point, Maryland, by the Fish Commission. 
SALMONIDiB. The Trouts and Salmons. 
43 . Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Brook Trout; Speckled Trout. 
In former years this fish inhabited Difficult Eun, on the Virginia side of the Potomac below 
Great Falls, but was supiiosed to have been long since exterminated. Recently, however, a few have 
been t.aken in this stream. In all probability it also formerly occurred in the cooler tributaries of 
Rock Creek. 
UMBRID.®. The Mud Minnows. 
44 . Umbra pygmasa (DeKay).* Mud Minnow. 
Freiiuents ditches and sluggish streams; very .abundant in E.astern Branch and in ditches along 
the Washington and Ohio Railroad. Common in streams and ditche.s about Laurel, Md. Often found 
in water so shallow and foul that no other fish could live in it. Length, 3 to 4 inches. 
LUCIIDiE. The Pikes. 
45. Lucius americanus (Gmelin).* “Bike”; Banded Pickerel. 
Not uncommon in Little River and other tributaries of tlie Potomac with grassy bottom. 
Length, 12 inches or less. 
46 . Lucius reticulatus (LeSueur).* “ Chain Pickerel”; “Pike”; Federation Pike; Eastern Pickerel. 
More or less abundant in Potomac River and tributaries on the grassy bottoms of coves and 
creeks; also found in the canal. Scarcer than formerly. Quite a number are sold in the Washington 
markets, brought from the river contiguous to the city. The fish reaches a length of 2 feet. 
PCECILIIDiE. The Killifishes. 
47 . Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnams).* “Minnow”; “Pike Minnow”; Fillijish; Mummichoy ; Mud 
Minnow. 
Very abundant in the Potomac .and its larger triluitaries. Important as food for other fishes and 
as a bait for .anglers. 
48 . Fundulus diaphanus (LeSuetir).* “Minnow”; Eillifish. 
Abundant. A showy minnow, usually found ascending the shallow streams of the District in 
the spring and early summer months, loitering under bridges and starting out with great energy when 
startled by the noise of foot passengers or vehicles; in their fright they sometimes swim on shoal 
sandy bars and become stranded. A valuable bait-fish. 
49 . Cyprinodon variegatus Lac.'p>de.* Sheepshead Minnow ; Variegated Minnow. 
A brackish-water species, rarely straying within our limits; once taken at Guuston Wharf, Va., 
by Col. M. McDon.ald, in spring of 1881. 
