USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 26
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THE NAMAYCUSHI, OR LONGE. Sulmo namaycush. - PENNANT DESCRIPTION .-- Form rescinbling the
* Ilistory of Vermont, vol. 1, page 147.
141
FISHES OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 5.
THE LONGE, OR SALMON TROUT.
THE BROOK TROUT.
Salmon ; head flattened and slightly con- vex between the eyes; greatest depth contained about five times in the total length. Color dark bluish brown above approaching to black on the head; sides thickly spotted with roundish, yellowish gray spots on a dark brownish gray ground, the spots unequal, but usually about the size of a small pea ; belly yel- lowish white; fins dark brown mottled with yellowish white ; the pectorals, ven- trals and anal slightly tinged with orange yellow. Lateral Ime plain, prominent anl nearly straight. Scales small and thin, but much larger than on the Brook Tront. Eges midway between the tip of the snout and the nape, and twice as near the former as to the hind edge of the gill cover, the measurement being made from the centre of the pupil ; iris yellow- ish. Nostrils nearer the eye than the tip of the snout, double, orifices nearly equal, the anterior having a raised margin. Jaics equal, strong, and armed with in- curved, sharp, conical teeth ; similar teeth on the front part of the vomer, on the palate bones, and two rows on the tongue, with a deep groove between them. Pre- operculum but little curved, and nearly vertical, suboperculum large and finely grooved. The dorsal fin medial, higher than long, and the ventral situated nearly under the middle of it ; adipose fin club- shaped and nearly over the posterior ray of the anal ; the anal higher than long, the anterior part being three times the height of the posterior ; tail forked, with pointed lobes. Length of the specimen before me 233 inches -- to the posterior edge of the operculum 51-to the begin- ning of the dorsal 103-to the vent 15- weight 4 pounds.
Kays, B. 12, P. 15, D. 11, V. 9, A. 11, C. 19.
HISTORY .- This species of Trout bears considerable resemblance to the Salmo trattu, or Salmon Trout, of Europe, and being mistaken for that fish by the first European settlers of this country, it has since usually borne the name of Salmon Trout. In the northern parts of this state and in the eastern townships in Canada, it is at present extensively known by the name of Longe. In Pennant's Arctic Zoology, and by the for traders at the northwest, its more common appella- tion is Numaycush, or Namnyeush Salmon. It is called by Dr. Mitchell the Great Lake Trout, and he describes it under the scientific name of Salmo amethystus .* This magnificent trout equals or surpass- es the Common Salmon in size, and is
| found in most of the lakes and large ponds in the northern parts of North America. In the great lakes at the northwest it is often taken weighing from 30 to 60 pounds, and according to Dr. Mitchell, it has been taken at Michilimackinac of the enormous weight of 120 pounds. This fish was formerly common in lake Champlain and in several ponds in the western part of the state, but, like the Salmon, it is now rarely caught in those waters. It is, how- ever, still found in considerable plenty in several ponds in the northern part of Vermont, particularly in Orleans county. Bell-water pond in Barton, and several ponds in Glover, Charleston, &c., are much celebrated on account of the fine Longe which they afford. These usually vary from half a pound to 10 pounds, but are often much larger. Individuals are said to have been taken recently in Glov- er weighing 25 pounds, and in Charleston exceeding 40 pounds.
This fish passes most of the time in the deepest parts of the lakes and ponds, but according to Dr. Richardson, resorts to the shallows to spawn in October. It is a very voracious fish, and is sometimes termed the tyrant of the lakes. It is ta- ken with the hook and line, and is also speared by torch light Its flesh is of a reddish yellow color, and is very much esteemed as an article of food. Roasting is said to be the best method of cooking it. . " The Canadian voyageurs are fond of eating it raw, in a frozen state, after scorching it for a second or two over a a quick fire, until the scales can be easily detached, but not continuing the applica- tion of heat long enough to thaw the m- terior." *
THE BROOK TROUT. Salmo fontinulis .- MITCHELL ..
DESCRIPTION .-- Color ghove brown, with darker markings, fadig into white or yellowish white on the belly ; sides with numerous roundish yellow spots of un- equal size, but usually about the bigness of a small pea ; and also very small bright red spots commonly situated within the yellow ones. These red spots are ex- tremely variable, being very few in some spreimens and numerous in others. The caudal and first dorsal fin transversely banded or mottled with black. Head one seventh the total length, darker colored than the back. Eyes large, iris silvery. Teeth hook inward, on the jaws, tongue, palatine bones and vomer ; those on the tongue largest. Jaws equal. Scales very
* Jour. of the Acad. Nat. Science, Philadelphia; Vol. 1, page 410.
* Richardson's Fauna Boreali Americana, vol. 111, page 180.
142
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE BROOK TROUT.
THE SMELT.
minute. Lateral line straight. First dor- [ they thus increased in numbers they also sal fin on the anterior half of the body ; became more than double their former size. This great inerease of fishes is sup- posed to have been occasioned by the increased means of subsistence, in consc- quence of carrying the water over a large tract of rich and uncultivated land.'* adipose fin small, brownish yellow mar- gined with black, and behind the anal ; pectorals under the posterior part of the operculum ; ventrals under the middle of the first dorsal ; first ray of the anal, ven- tral and pectoral fins white; the second or third ray usually black, the rest of the fin reddish. Tail slightly forked.
Rays, Br. 11, P. 13, V. 8, A. 10, D. 10, C. 19.
IHISTORY .- The Brook Trout is more generally diffused over the state than any other species of fish ; there being scarcely a brook, or rill of clear water, descending from our hills and mountains in which it is not found. When the country was new they also abounded in the larger streams, where they often grew to the weight of two or three pounds. But they have been diminished by the causes al- ready mentioned, and have been songht after with such eagerness as the most de- licious article of food of the fish kind, that they are now seldom taken in our streams exceeding half a pound in weight, and much the greater number of them weigh less than a quarter of a pound. In many of the ponds they are still taken of of a larger size, but their flavor is thought to be less delicious than that of those ta- ken in running water, especially in ponds with muddy bottoms. The rapidity with which this and other species of fishes mul- tiply under favorable circumstances was exemplified in an astonishing manner at an early day, in Timmouth, in this state. 'A stream which was about 20 feet wide, and which, like other streams, contained trout and suckers of the ordinary size and number, had a dam built across it for the purpose of supplying water for a saw mill. This dam formed a pond, which covered, by estimation, about 1000 acres, where the trees were thick and the soul had nev- er been cultivated. In two or three years, the fish were multipbed in this pond to an incredible number. At the apper end, where the brook fell in, the fish were to be seen in the spring running over one another, so embarrassed by their own numbers as to be unable to escape from any attempt made to take them. They were taken by the hands at pleasure, and swine caught them without difficulty. With a small net the fishermen would take half a bushel at a draught, and re- peat their labors with the same success. Carts wore loaded with them in as short a time as people could gather them up when thrown upon the banks; and it was customary to sell them in the fishing season for a shilling a bushel. While
The tront is usually taken with the hook, and the bait universally used is the red earth worm, every where known by the name of Angle Worm. Fishing for trout is a favorite and common amuse- ment, and parties frequently go 15 or 20 miles for the sake of indulging in it.
GENES OSMERUS .- Artedi.
Generic Characters .- Body elongated, cov- Pred with small scales ; two dorsal fins. the first with rays, the second fleshy without rays ; ventral fins under the front part of the first dorsal ; teeth long on the jaws and tongue, two distinct rows on the palatine bones, but none on the vomer. except at the most anterior part ; branchial rays eight.
THE SMELT.
Osmerus epertanus .- ARTEDI.
Yarrell s Brnish Fishes, 11-75, fig. Journal Acad. Nat. Sei , Phil., 1-230. Fauna Boreali Amer , Fishes, page 185. Sturen's Report, Mass. L'ishes, pago 108
DESCRIPTION .- Semi-transparent, color silvery, greenish above and white beneath; top of the head and edges of the jawy blackish ; under jaw longest, with a keel- shaped projection near its extremity ; teeth on the tongue and palate, and two rows on each jaw, mostly large and hook- ing inwards ; month large ; nostrils very large and nearer to the snont than to the eye. Eye rather large, iris silvery ; lat- oral line straight. Scales of moderate size, thin and transparent. Fins slender and transparent ; the dorsal, caudal, and upper edges of the pectoral brownish ; all the rest white and delicate; height of the first dorsal twice its length ; ventrals under the first rays of the dorsal; tail forked, with spreading, pointed lobes. Length of the longest of two specimens before me 9 inches, greatest depth It inch.
Rays, B. 8, P. 11, V. S, D. 11, A. 15, C. 17.
HISTORY .- The Smelt is one of those migratory species of fishes, which pass a part of the time in salt water and a part
* Williams' History of Vermont, vot, 1, p. 1-19.
143
FISIIES OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 5.
THE HERRING FAMILY.
THE WHITE FISH.
in fresh. Though not a constant visitant in our waters, he occasionally makes his appearance, and is sometimes taken in lake Champlain in very considerable num- bets. The form of this fish is long and slender, and its bright silvery hue ren- ders it very beautiful. It is somethines taken with the hook, but more commonly with the net, and is very highly esteemed as un article of food. In Massachusetts, according to Dr. Storer's Report, 750,000 dozen of these fishes are taken annually in Watertown alone, and sent to Boston market.
GENUS COREGONUS.
Generic Characters .- Hrad small ; mouth small and rebate, or furnished with very small treth ; scales large ; length of the first dorsal fin less than the height of its anterior portion , second dorsal adipose and without rays ; branchial rays seven or eight.
WHITE FISH, OR LAKE SHAD.
Coregonus albus .- LE SUEUR.
Journal Academy Nat. Sei , Phit., 1 -332. Fauna Boreali Ainer , Fishes, page 195, tig. Boston Journal Natural History, Itt-477, pl. 23.
DESCRIPTION, -- Forin ovate, slightly tapering towards the tail ; body deep and thick ; head pointed, and with the mouth, very small ; teeth in the jaws few, and so minute as scarcely to be perceptible to the sight or tonch in the recent specimen ; color silvery, bluish gray on the back, lighter on the sides, and pearly white on the belly, with a delicate iridescent play of colors throughout. Scales large, thin, prarly and very deciduous, arranged in about 20 longitudinal rows, giving the fish a slightly striped appearance ; lateral line very nearly straight ; fins small, brownish, often tinged with red ; the dor- sal inid-way between the snont and the extremity of the tail ; the posterior rays of the dorsal and anal fins mnuch shorter than the anterior, giving those fins a tri- angular appearance ; adipose fin rather large ; caudal forked and spreading; a long, slender bract above and partly be- hind the ventral fins. Length of the specimen before me, which is considerably larger than the average size and very fat, 22 inches, depth 6, thickness 23, and weight 5} pounds.
Rays, Br. 8, P. 15, V. 11, D. 14,-0, A. 14, C. 19.
HISTORY .- This fish, though the same as the celebrated White Fish of the west- ern and northwestern lakes, is generally known in Vermont by the name of Lake Shad. Its Indian name at the northwest is Attiharmeg. This fish is quite com- mon in lake Champlain, and, in some years, is taken in the months of May and June in considerable quantities with the seine. It is also found in many of the small lakes, in Lower Canada, connected with the St. Lawrence on the south side, notwithstanding the assertion of Dr. Rich- ardson # that it does not exist in the St. Lawrence below the falls of Niagara. This is universally considered a most ex- cellent fish, and nearly all are disposed to acquiesce in the opinion of Charlevoix, that, " whether fresh, or salted, nothing of the fish kind can excel it ;" but few, I think, will agree with the Baron La Hon- tan, who says that it should be eaten without any kind of seasoning, because "it has the singular property that afl kinds of sauce spoil it " In warm wrath- er this fish should be either cooked, or salted, soon after it is taken, as it quickly becomes soft and is spoiled. It is excel- lent either boiled or fried. The mode of boiling at the northwest, according to Dr. Richardson, is as follows : "After the fish is cleansed, and the scales scraped off, it is cut into several pieces, which are put into a thin copper kettle, with water enough to cover them, and placed over a slow fire. As soon as the water is on the point of boiling the kettle is taken off, shook by a semi-circular motion of the hand backwards and forwards, and re- placed on the fire for a short time. If the shaking be not attended to exactly at the proper moment, or be unskilfully per- formed, the fish, coagulating too sudden- ly, becomes comparatively dry to the taste, and the soup is poor." The stom- ach of this fish is remarkably thick, and when cleansed and cooked is esteemed a great luxury. The White Fish is very thick and fleshy, and on account of the smallness of the head, fins and intestines, the waste in dressing is less than in any other fish. The greater part of those ta- ken in lake Champlain are from 15 to 20 inches in length, and weigh from 1 to 3 pounds, though smaller ones are often ta- ken, and occasionally larger ones, weigh- ing from 3 to 6 pounds. They are usually sold fresh as taken from the water, and the price varies from 6 to 10 cents a pound. The White Fish seems to subsist principally upon small molluscous ani- mals. I have sometimes found more
* Fauna Boreali Americana, vol. IIt, page 190.
141
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE COMMON SHAD.
THE WINTER SHAD.
than 100 nnivalve and bivalve shells in the stomach of a single fish.
V .- CLUPIDE OR HERRING FAMILY. GENUS ALOSA .- Cuvier.
Generic Characters -Body compressed ; seales large, thin, and deciduous; head compressed; leeth minute, or wanting ; a single dorsal fin ; ab- dominal line forming a sharp keel-like edge, which in some species is serrated ; epper jaw with a deep notch in the centre ; gil rays S.
THE COMMON SHAD.
Alosa, vulgaris .- Cuv.
McMurtrie, Cuvier, il. 235. Yartell's British Fish- es, if, 135. Storer's Report, Fishes of Massachu- setts, page 116.
DESCRIPTION .- Color of the top of the head and baek bluish ; upper portion of the sides, including the operenla, eupre- ous ; beneath silvery; whole body cov- ered with large, deciduous scales, with the exception of the head, which is na- ked ; eyes large ; pupils black ; irides sil- very ; diameter of the eye equal to the distance between the eyes ; nostril nearer the eye than the snout ; upper jaw notch- ed in the centre ; its lateral edges slightly crenated; abdomen serrated; a black blotch at the posterior angle of the oper- culum ; dorsal fin on the middle of the back, shuts into a groove; height equal to two-thirds its length ; pectorals silverv; height to the length as 3 to 1; ventrals opposite the middle of the dorsal; anal received into a groove ; candal deeply forked. Length of the head to the whole length of the body as I to 6. Usual weight from 1 to 4 pounds.
Rays, D. 19, P. 16, V. 9, A. 20, C. 20. -Norer.
Ilsrony .- This excellent and valuable fish, which is common both to Europe and America, was formerly taken in Con- nectient river in large quantities, partie- ularly in the neighborhood of Bellows Falls. It is still taken plentifully in Mer- rimack river, and in many other streams which flow into the Atlantic ocean from N. England. I cannot learn that it has ever been taken in lake Champlain, but on ac- count of some resemblance in form and appearance between this species and the Correonus albus, or White Fish, the name of Shad, or Lake Shad, is here very gen- erally applied to the latter.
GENUS HIODON .- Le Sueur.
Generic Characters .- The form of a her- ring ; abdomen trenchant, but not serrated; one dorsal fin opposite to the beginning of the anal ; hooked teeth on the jaws, vomer and tongue ; head small ; eyes very large and : ituated near the end of the snoot ; brauchial rays eight or nine.
THE WINTER SHAD.
Hiodon clodalus .-- LE SUEUR.
Hiodon clodalus et 11 tergisas. Lesueur, Jour. Ac. Nut. Nei. Phil. 1-36-1, fig.
DESCRIPTION .- Body deep and thin : back elevated and nearly straight; belly trenchant; dorsal fin quadrangular ; ven- trals with large branching rays, and a long braet over their base ; anal fin long, with the anterior portion large and point- ed, and nearly straight, or rounded with a depression between it and the posterior portion. Color towards the back bluish, with metalie reflections, pearly and sil- very below ; head small, greenish brown above, with bronze' reflections on the sides ; dorsal and caudal fins brown, the others lighter. Eyes far forward, large, round ; pupil black ; iris with yel- low and pearly reflections. Nostrils large, double, and very near the end of the snout ; lateral line nearly straight, near- er the back than the belly ; tail deeply forked ; scales rather large, brilliant, a- bout 60 on the lateral hine. Month ob- lique ; jaws even when shot, but on ac- count of the obliquity of the gape the lower jaw appears longest when the mouth is open ; numerons small conical teeth in both jaws, on the vomer, palatine bones, and tongne, the latter largest and hook- ing inward. Length 133 inches ; depth 34 ; diam. of the eye .7.
Rays, B. 8, P. 12, V. 7, D. 11, A. 30, C. 18.
HISTORY .- Le Sueur's account of the genus Thodon was published in 1818, in the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences. In this paper he describes what he considers two species, to which he gives the name of H. tergisus and H. clodalus, but at the same time intimates a possibility that they may both belong to the same species. The difference upon which he constituted the two species, was in the form of the anal ilus, the HI. tergi- sus having the anterior portion of that fin rounded, with a depression between that and the posterior portion, and H. clodalus with the anterior portion pointed, and the line to the posterior angle nearly straight. I have before me two specimens, which were caught at the same time. One is 133 inches long, and has fhe pointed and straight anal fin of Le Sueur's H. clodalus, and the other, 13 in. long, has the round- ed, notched anal fin of his II. tergisus. In other respects scarecly any difference can
.
145
FISHIES OF VERMONT.
СПАР. 5.
THE COMMON BILL FISH.
THE STRIPED BILL FISH.
be discovered, and I have no doubt that they both belong to the same species. This fish is often called the White Fish by the fishermen. It is considered a very good fish for the table, but is not taken in lake Champlain very plentifully.
GENUS LEPISOSTEUS .- Lacepede.
Generic Characters .- Both jaws with rasp- like teeth, having a row of longer, pointed ones on the margin ; brancha: united on the throat by a common membrane, which has three rays on each side ; scales of a stony hardness ; dorsal and anal fins opposite to each other, and far back.
TIJE COMMON BILL FISII.
Lepisosteus oryurus .- RAFINESQUE. Ichthy, Ohensis, p 74. Kirtland's Report, p 196. Boston Jour. Natural History, IV-16. Lepisosteus huronensis, Fauna Boreali Americana, , 237.
DESCRIPTION .- Body long, cylindrical; back slightly arched in a regular curve ; head flattened above and on the sides, en- cased in a bony covering, having distinct stria:, grooves and sutures, with the jaws, which are thickly set with teeth of differ- ent sizes, lengthened out into a slender, flattened beak ; upper jaw reaches beyond the lower, with nostrils near its extremity ; tongue fleshy, bilobate ; roe green ; eyes just behind the angle of the mouth, and near the articulation of the lower jaw. Color above brownish leaden, sometimes with an umber hue, darkest on the head, yellowish pearly white below ; sides spot- ted with blackish towards the tail ; pecto- ral and ventral fins brownish ; dorsal, caudal and anal yellow and ruddy, spot- ted with black ; dorsal fin connneuces over the posterior part of the anal; the attachment of the caudal oblique, fin roun- ded, with the outer rays armned with sharp, spiny scales. Body covered with thick, strong, hard, bony scales, of rhon- boidal form, and regularly arranged in ob- lique rows. Upon the lateral line, which is straight, but indistinct towards the tail, there are GO seales. Length ofthe speci- men before me 3 ft. 4 in. ; upper jaw to the angle of the month 7 in .; from the angle to the orbit 1.2 in ; from the point of the bill to the middle of the gill open- ing 12, or just one third of the total length, measured through the middle of the can- dal fin ; ventrals midway between the point of the bill and extremity of the tail. Weight 6 pounds.
Pr !.
Rays, P. 11, V. G, D. 8, A. 9, C. 12. HisroRY .- This singular fish was de- scribed by Sammel Champlain, as an inhabitant of the lake now bearing his name, more than 200 years ago. He called it Chausarou, which was probably the Indian name. The Indians assured him they were often seen eight or ten feet long, but the largest he saw was only five feet long, and about the thickness of a man's thigh. It is considered a very voracions fish, and when any of them are taken, or seen in the water, the fishermen calculate upon little success in taking other kinds. Charlevoix tells us that he preys not only upon other fishes, but upon birds also ; and that he takes them by the following stratagem : Concealing himself among the reeds growing on the marshy borders of the lake, he thrusts his bill out of the water in an upright position. Tho bird, wanting rest, takes this for a broken limb, or dry reed, and perches upon it. The fish then opens his mouth and makes such a sudden spring that the bird seldom escapes him. Charlevoix also assures us that the Indians regarded the teeth of this fish as a sovereign remedy for the head- ache, and that pricking with it where the pain was sharpest took it away instantly. The scales with which this fish is covered are so thick and strong, as to form a coat of mail, which is not easily pierced with a spear. They are taken only occasionally in the seine at the present day, but are said to be sometimes seen in considerable numbers lying in the marshy coves. Its flesh is rank and tough, and is not used for food. The usual length of those now taken, is from two and a half to three feet, though they are often much longer. The specimen, from which the preceding fig- ure and description were made, was taken at the mouth of Winooski river, May 11, 1811. One of the largest specimens which I have seen was taken at the same place, June 16, 1838, and is now in my posses- sion. It is 46 inches long, and when caught weighed 93 pounds. This species is found in the great western lakes, and in the Ohio river, where this and several other species are known by the name of Giar Fishes.
THE STRIPED BILL-FISII. Lepisosteus lincolus.
DESCRIPTION .- Color above light olive, with a dark line along the middle of the back, and dark roundish spots on the up-
146
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE STRIPED BILJ. FISH.
THE LING.
per mandible and towards the tail. . A] broad dark bluish brown stripe commen- ces on the side of the bill, passes back- ward through the eye, across the cheek and operculum, and along the side and through the middle of the tail to its ex- tremily ; below this, commencing on the lower jaw a little forward of the angle of' the mouth, is a bright yellowish white stripe, which touches upon the lower side of the eye, passes through the base of the pectoral fin and vanishes near the tail ; still lower is a grayish brown stripe, with a lighter one along the middle of the bel- ly to the vent; fins yellowish, spotted with brown ; under mandible black ; eye close to the angle of the mouth, and di- rectly behind it; pupil black, surrounded by a bright golden line ; iris brown where covered by the brown stripe, but lighter on the upper and lower margin. Bill flat- ter and broader, proportionally, than in the L. oxyurus ; teeth sharp, and of differ- ent sizes, 4 rows above and 2 below ; up- per jaw considerably longest, terminated in a knob on which the nostrils are situa- ted, and which is articulated over the tip of the lower jaw ; all the fins proportion- ally much longer and more slender than in the L. oxyurus, the dorsal and anal reaching the base of the caudal. Lateral line straight, passing along near the np- per edge of the dark lateral stripe, con- taining 62 scales. Scales rhomboidal, arranged in oblique rows. Pectoral fins situated under the membranous prolonga- tion of the gill cover ; ventrals nearly medial ; height of the dorsal I in., length .4, commences over the posterior part of the anal, and extends half its length be- yond it; height of the anal fin I inch, length .5; the attachment of the tail oblique ; tail contained about 6 times in the total length ; the head, including the bill, a little more than 3 times. Length of the specimen before me 10.3 inches ; lower jaw 2, upper 2.2, from the snout to the eye 2.3, to the posterior part of the gill cover 3.2, to the ventral fins 5, to the commencement of the anal 7, of the dor- sal 7.3; longest rays of the caudal 1.7.
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