278 
AMERICAN FISHES. 
they are usually arrayed in net-work, or in such manner as to produce a 
“ marbled ” effect.* It has been called the ‘‘ Hump-back Pickerel,” and is 
of little value for food. 
The common names of this group of fishes offer an opportunity for much 
curious research. The oldest name in literature is the Latin “Lucius,” 
by which it was doubtless known to the gourmets of classic times, 
which was mentioned by the poet Ausonius, in the fourth century, f and 
which lingered in the old French “ Lus ” and the names “ Luccio ” or 
“ Luggo ” by which Italians still know the species. 
Although it is customarily stated that the Pike was unknown to the 
ancient Greeks, I see no reason to doubt that this is the fish which Athen- 
aeus, sixteen centuries ago, called Lycus, just as the Germans of to-day 
name it in familiar phrases the “ Wasserwolf ” (Water Wolf). Another 
vestige of this name, is the English “Luce,” commonly applied to large 
individuals in the days of Chaucer,J and not unfamiliar in later days, 
because of the extensive use of the fishes under this name as one of the 
symbols of heraldry. Shakespeare has immortalized the arms as well as 
the name of the name of the country squire, whom he hated, in his 
allusion to the escutcheon of the Lucys, and the blood-thirsty Sir Lucius 
O’Trigger in Sheridan’s “ Rivals,” doubtless owed his praenomen to the 
savage Esox. 
The name Pike, the philologist says, has been given to this fish, either 
from the likeness of its nose to a pike or spear, or because it moves itself 
* Since it is by no means a simple matter to discriminate between these species, especially when young, 
I depart from my usual custom, and present a key, in which some technical terms are used. This table is 
based upon Jordan's diagnosis. 
Cheeks and opercula completely covered with scales. 
Branchiostegals, 12 in number. Colors obscure. About 105 scales in lateral line. 
Diameter of eye contained 5 times in length of head, and 
neaily twice in snout, its posterior margin scarcely behind middle of head. E. americanus. 
Diameter of eye 6 in length of head, and less 
than B in that of snout, the eye being exactly in 
middle of head. E. vermiculatus. 
Branchiostegals 14-16. About 125 scales in lateral 
Diameter of eye, 8 in that of head, 3*4 
in snout. Snout prolonged, nearly half the length 
of the head. Colors bright, markings reticulate. 
E. reticulatus. 
Cheeks scaly, lower half of opercula bare. Branchiostegals 14-16 
Color :—light spots on a dark ground. E. lucius 
Lateral line 123. 
Lower half of cheeks and opercula bare. Branchiostegals 16-19. 
Color ;—Black spots on lighter ground. E. nobilior. 
Lateral line 150. 
f Lucius obscurus ulva csenoque lacunas 
Obsidet: Hie nullos mensarum lectus ad usas 
Fervet fumosis olido nidore popinis. Moselle, 120-124. 
JFull many a fat partricke had he in mewe, 
And many a Brerne and many a Luce in stewe. Canterbury Tales. 
