River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-04-02

| In PENNSYLVANIA this fish is always
called catfish, but in New York it
is a bullhead, in Massachusetts, a
hornpout, in Connecticut, bullprout,
in Maine Il bullplug, and in some parts
of the west Il sucker.
There is a popular saying that ''a
catfish has a forlIed tail, and a bull
head a square one" but Fred Math
er, most distinguished authority,
shows that this saying is not borne
out by the facts. There are more than
20 species of this fish family, and their
tails vary from being square to deep
ly forked. They are all popularity called
catfish, only experts and students be-
ing aware of the real distinguishing
differences in The species. Moreover,
they are all good for food, and pal
atabie.
The trout served in the eastern
restaurants is one species, and that
of the English hotels another, while
the trout set forth upon the tables
OF Alabama and Georgia does not be-
long to the same family, being what
we in the north and northwest call
Lake Champlain is not the delicious
fish caught in salt water or in the
rivers which flow into the ocean. It
is in reality the whitefish of the
/ great lakes.
When you hear any person talking
of carp, you may inform him that
| there are over 500 species of carp;
and when the word ''minnow" is used
you may inform your benighted
friends that upwards of 1000 species
of denizens of the deep are so named
by the uninitiated. Of like vagueness
are the terms club, dace, roach,
sinner, killies and sucker. Although
these names are most used as con-
venient terms by boys and girls who
know no better, they are too often
employed in the same manner by
anglers and men of considerable in
telligence. For example, the term
sucker is applied to at least so fresh
water species and five salt water
ones, which have nothing at all in
common.
The familiar frost fish" is vari-
ETY. of the salmon in northern ponds
and lakes. 1t is very small sub-spe-
cies of the cod family on the eastern
sea coast. Then again, quite num-
Der of names are given to small
fishes because of the manner in
which they are prepared for the
table, regardless of their correct
names. The ''panfsh" and the "but-
terfsh" are so called because of their
relationship to the use made of them
by the cook and even they have diff
ferent names in different localities,
because all cooks are not agreed as
to the best methods of serving them
During this Lenten season we must
have fish for breakfast, fish for din
ner and fish for supper; and this also
in accordance with our geographical
environments. But we need not go
to Izaak Walton, Thomas j. Nicholl,
nor other piscatorial liars and phiios-
| ophers, to increase our woeful col
lection of misinformatiOn about our
| temporary dietition from the waters.
The majority of us will depend upon
the always reliable and truthful ven
ders of fish in the market PAGES,
and, after it is all over, we will won
der what ever gave us indigestion.
And we will blame it on the cook; or,
easier still, on the wife.
Speaking of Indigestion reminds us
that the term is practically unknown
in Italy. The late Gen. Siblev, when
very venerable. told the writer that
after his numerous Indian camraigns
he returned to civilization. and be-
came a victim of Indigestion. He was
| fast growing old, and his case seemed
hopeless, until country doctor
down in Maine advised him to 90 to
Italy and live in the land of olive oil
and garlic. He went, and recovered
his health completely. 1t was the
olive oil, and not the garlic, that did
it.
From a long conversation with the
old soldier the writer learned that
the best fish of all, for those who are
liable to attacks of indigestion, is the
sardine; provided he is consumed
with all of the oil in which he is
| packed.
Dyspepsia is bad for religion. Ar
gal, sardines for Lent, not tabcoing
other fish more desirable to intIivid-
ual palates. SMITH D. FRY.