ACANTHOPTERYGIANS : PERCID^E. 327 



The Genus Labrax Bass is distinguished from 

 Perca by scaly opercula terminating in two spines, and 

 by a rough tongue. 



The Striped Bass, L. lincatus, Cuv., is from one to four 

 feet long, brown above, silvery beneath, and with from 

 seven to nine blackish longitudinal stripes on each side of 



Fig. 192. 



Striped Bass, L. lineatus, Cuv. 



the body. This is a salt-water fish, which keeps near 

 the land, ascending fresh-water streams in the spring to 

 breed. It is very common on the coast of New Eng- 

 land. It readily bites the hook, and is taken in large 

 quantities with the seine. Some specimens weigh sev- 

 enty-five pounds each. 



The White Perch, or Ruddy Bass, L. rnfus, Dekay, 

 Eastern North America, is twelve to fifteen inches long, 

 and is highly prized for food. It is most common in 

 waters which are in easy communication with the sea. 



The Genus Luciopcrca adds to the characteristics of the 

 Perch those of the Pike. 



The Yellow Pike-Perch, L. amcricana, Dekay, of the 

 North American Great Lakes and adjacent regions, is 

 from twelve to eighteen inches long, cylindrical and ta- 

 pering, and is popularly known as the Common Pike, 

 Glass-Eye, and Yellow Pike. 



The Genus Ccntropristes has the teeth small and crowd- 

 ed, preoperculum dentated, and the operculum spinous. 



The Black Sea-Bass, or Black-Fish, C. nigricans, C. & V., 



