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PL.foj -pAi above (:om dodnrl, var.<e br Phil Douen persons of their plans for specific treat- ment of waters, much of the potential danger to aquatic life in our rivers and lakes could be alleviated. Fortunately there are now two active groups in the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists to which these organi- zations can turn for such information: a Committee on Fish Conservation, chaired by Carl L. Hubbs (Scripps In- stitution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California), and a Herpetological Consen ation Committee, chaired by Frederick R. Gehlbach (Museum of Zooiory. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor. Michigani. A list of rare, re- stricted, and/or endangered species of fishes, amphibians. and reptiles has been compiled by these two committees and is available for reference by local, State, and federal agencies as well as by private conservation organizations and other interested persons. An awareness of endangered kinds, and an appreciation of the value of all native wildlife-without undue em- phasis on those offering food or sport ---could result in saving many aquatic animals from needless extinction. I have recently pointed Gut to the Ari- zona Department of Fish and Game that a peculiar, and now very rare, minnow, the Little Colorado spinedace, is nearing extinction in eastern Ari- zona, and that it- continued existence may well depend upon the activities of this conservation group (Miller, 1963). One way to save such animals, if non- specific toxicant= absolutely must be used, would be to remove a breeding stock of the species prior to chemical treatment, hold the animals during the operation, and then reintroduce them to their native stream. once the poison has dissipated. This method could be effective only if the habitat remained sufficiently unmodified after the treat. ment so as to support the species. The de,elopment of specific toxicants designed to eradicate certain non-native fish, such as carp, is a step in the right direction. The U. S. Fish and Ti iidlife Service's Division of Sport Fisheries is operating a laboratory at La Crosse, R'isconsin, that is seeking such compounds and is capable of per- forming more than 600 bioassay tests per week. One of the best and most encouraging examples of the develop- ment of a chemical for the specific control of a destructive fish is the com- pound used against the sea lamprey of the Great Lakes (Applegate, Howell, and Smith; 1956). However, even here the selectivity in part depends on cum- bersome. and costly logistics in applica- tion. A vigorous educational program un. der-taken by conservation departments through their popular magazines would alleviate the undue pressure now brought to bear on them by sportsmen. Such pressure leads "biologists" to em- ploy harsh and drastic management methods rather than to develop the sophisticated ones that are called for. It is biologically crude, as well as un- necessary, to demolish and upset whole balances of aquatic communities, and we must expect to suffer the conse- quences of such programs if they are not sharply curtailed. In the words of Paul Sears (1957) : "The earth is fit for (man) and he for it not only be- cause of what he found here but of ghat went on here during the millions of years before his advent. Surely it behooves him to think twice before causing too much disruption." We al- ready have enough trouble with pollu- tion by other than fish managers. Let them not pollute, too. Provision for Consultation A recent sign of awakening towards some form of control in this direction is the bill (H.R. 2867) introduced on January 28, 1963, by Representative John D. Dingell (Michigan). This provides for advance consultation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and with State wildlife agencies before be- ginning any federal program involving the use of pesticides or other chemicals designed for mass biological controls. 01 NATIONAL PARKS MAGAMNE The humpback sucker (xyrauchen texanus). From the Green River in Hideout Canon. Utah, July, 1959. Total length, 18 inches; weight, 2 pounds. The humpbacl. chub (Gila cypha). From the Green River near Hideout Canyon, Utah, July, 1959. Total length, 13 inches.