386 [Aveust, 
The Committee on the following papers by Mr. Girard, reported in 
favor of publication in the Proceedings. 
Observations upon the American species of the genus Esoz. 
By Cuarues Girarp. 
The genus Esox is represented in North America by quite a large number 
of species, commonly called “ pikes”’ or ‘“ pickerels,’? without any discrimi- 
nation. The same species of Esox may be called here “ pike,’? and elsewhere 
‘+ pickerel.”? 
When we first undertook the study of these fish, we were at a loss to know to 
which species might be strictly applied either of these vernacular names. We 
asked fishermen, some of them very intelligent, what the difference in their 
mind was, when calling a certain Esox a pike, and another a pickerel? They 
knew of no difference, but that whena pike was spoken of they understood 
the very large individuals, whilst the small ones were the pickerels, the young 
of the preceding. 
In examining comparatively. Esoz estor and Esox reticulatus, of Lesueur, 
amongst other differences, it will be perceived that in one (E. estor,) the cheeks 
and opercular apparatus exhibit a perfectly smooth ané naked skin, whilst in the 
other (E. reticwlatus) these same parts are scaly all over. 
In tracing the character throughout the range of the species we find naked 
cheeks and opercular apparatus in the maskallonge (E. nobilior, Thomps.) in 
the pike of Lake Superior, (E. borews, Ag.) and in several others still confounded 
with Esoz estor of Lesueur. On the other hand, Esoz americanus, Lacep. (E. niger 
Lesu.) E. fasciatus, Dekay. E. clathratus, Bd., MS., resemble Esoz reticulatus 
in having the cheeks and opercular apparatus covered with scales. y 
Consequently there are two groups of species in the genus Esox, based upon an 
organic difference, and for which we have two distinct names. Themaskallonge 
and allied species we ought henceforth to call Pfes, retaining the name of Pickerels 
for Esoz reticulatus and allied species. 
The pikes, when full grown, are the largest of the genus; amongst pickerels, 
we find the smallest species. E'soz reticulatus is the largest pickerel known, and 
it is as large as any of the specimens of Esoz borews which we have seen. 
We would nevertheless be inclined to think that the latter reaches a much larger 
size. 
The organic difference which we have pointed out between the pikes and 
pickerels, corresponds to a curious fact in their geographical distribution in 
North America; the Pikes being confined to the great lakes and western waters 
generally, whilst the Pickerels occur in such ponds and rivers whose waters 
empty into the Atlantic. 
A pike has been introduced into the Connecticut river, and the fact that it has 
multiplied there, is no objection to this general law of their distribution. 
A Pickerel is said to occur in the Ohio river. We have not seen any specimen 
of this fish, the history of which ought to be carefully investigated. Ifa pickerel 
was originally an inhabitant of that body of water, then we shall have one ex- 
ception to the general rule. 
Lesueur has indicated under the names of Esoz vermiculatus, E. lineatus and 
E.. depraudus, three species of the genus Esox from the Wabash river. As no 
specimens are preserved any where, it will be difficult to identify them, even 
upon visiting the place where they occur. But one feature can be easily deter- 
mined, that is whether their cheeks and opercular apparatus are or are not 
covered with scales. Any traveller will be prepared to make this observation. 
Lesueur’s Esoz lugubrosus, from the eastern states, and Esox phaleratus, of 
Say, from Eastern Florida, are likewise undetermined in this respect. 
