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<br />6 BULLEMN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION,
<br />More destructive, however, are the chubs (Leuciscus). Of these, none ascend to
<br />the mountains in the Arkansas or the Platte. But, in the Rio Grande, one species,
<br />Leueiscus pulch.er, exists in abundance, while in the. Colorado, the ROaDd-Tail (Gila ro-
<br />busta) is equally common. Another chub-like fish in the Colorado, Ptychocheilus lucius,
<br />reaches a great size, the largest of all the Cyprinidw, and in default of better fish, as-
<br />sumes economic importance.
<br />Other minnows ascend the Arkansas and Platte, though only to the foot of the
<br />mouutains. Most of these are of species common in the 'Mississippi Valley. The
<br />bulk of the rich fauna of the `lississippi is however excluded from Colorado, because
<br />the species cau not ascend the turbid waters of the lower Arkansas or Platte.
<br />The darters, snufishes, and catfishes can hardly be said to belong to Colonklo,
<br />as nearly all the species are shut out by the unfit character of the lower streams.
<br />These were seen by us only about Denver and Pueblo. In a similar way most of the
<br />Texan tishts are excluded from the Rio Grande.
<br />INTRODUCED FISHES.
<br />The Eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fonti.nalis) has been intfoduced into numerous
<br />streams (Bear Creek, Twin Lakes, Echo Lake in Egeria Park, Raxtou Creek, To-
<br />michi Creek, etc.) : It does well everywhere, and -is said td grow more rapidly than the
<br />native trout, but this statement is denied by some partisans of the latter fish.
<br />.; ." The rainbow trout of California (Salmo i ideus) has been sparingly introduced,
<br />_ and is reported to do well. One specimen was obtained by us in Twin Lakes.
<br />'The land-locked salmon of Maine (84=o salar ssbago) has been introduced into
<br />Twin -Lakes, where specsiirii?ns are occasionali? taJet?
<br />A number.of carp-ponds also exist in the,ttate.
<br />As an addition to the above list, I woala strongly recommend the ijntroductioii of
<br />the larger catfishes, espe-cisllv.Leptops olizarisl Lctalurus.punctatus, and Amaiurus neb-
<br />utosus, into the tributaries of the lower Colorado, as the Green River and. the San
<br />Juan. Food iF abundant, and every condition seems to be favorable for them, while
<br />the Whole great basin of the Colorado contains, excepting the trout, no fish of even
<br />second-rate character as food for man.
<br />__: _ _A.-THE PLATTE BASIN.
<br />The South Platte rises in the elevated plateau known as the South Park. Through
<br />the park it flows in an undulating course over grassy fields, finally breaking througii
<br />the mountains to the sage plains above Denver: It receives many tributaries from
<br />the mountains, and the waters of numerous sandy runs, dry in summer, pourin from tb(
<br />l plains. Its water, both above and below Denver, is largely used for irrigation. That
<br />it becomes a, shallow, muddc strewn, with sandy boftom acid ?+ery low banks.. In the
<br />northeastern part of Colorado it meets its fellow, the North Platte, astream of sineilai
<br />th?awter, rising in the Noyth rack The Plaatte._"_w a broo., very shallow stream.
<br />fall. of eandbai and cluichsaiids, flows eastward across Nebraska to the Missouri
<br />The fishes of the.Platte, as far up as Denver, are mostly the ordinary species of thi
<br />upper Missouri reB on. The` trout, do not descend below the level of the parks, ant
<br />_ -searce even in the • tl Park itself; being chiefly coufined`to the.mountai.n gorge!
<br />above it. = . ;. .
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