S0 



STONE BASS. 



prize, appears as well from Opjoian's direct assertion, as his 

 clescri2:)tion of the fishermen's proceedings, which involved no 

 little skill and j^atience. He first made a vessel or chamber 

 of wicker-work with a large door, not unlike the larger 

 lobster store-pot now employed to secure these crustaceous 

 caj^tives after they have been caught. These he baited with 

 roasted crabs or cuttlefish, and placed it near the rocks fre- 

 quented by these fishes, with the door in the side left open. 

 The fishes would gradually collect together, but he was in 

 no haste to obtain them, and continued to furnish new bait 

 as it became devoured by the fish; for his object was, not 

 only to secure at one haul a large number, but by feeding 

 to fatten them as much as possible. "When everything had 

 succeeded the door of the trap was closed, and the capture 

 secured. 



The example described was eighteen inches long, and six 

 deep, exclusive of the fins ; body thick and stout. Head bony, 

 a high ridge 'on the gill-covers; teeth in jaws and j)^iate 

 small, numerous; border of each plate of the gill-covers ser- 

 rated; also a large bony serrated plate at the origin of the 

 body, above the gill-covers. Scales firm, over the body. 

 Dorsal fin long, expanded towards its termination, with eleven 

 spinous and twelve soft rays; in the ventral six, the first a 

 strong spine, with short spinous processes along its outward 

 edge. Anal fin with twelve rays, of which the first three 8.re 

 spinous. Tail straight. 



