28 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



articulated portion oblong and rounded. Caudal fin emarginate, with the tips rounded. The 

 scales on the base of this fin ascend high up on the membrane. 



Color. The general appearance of this fish is a dark greenish bronze. Head above dark 

 bottle-green. Back, above the lateral line, of the same color. Gill-covers metallic green. A 

 dark spot above the posterior angle of the opercle. The sides below the lateral line with six 

 or more longitudinal series of subquadrate dark spots. Pupils dark purple, with a narrow 

 golden ring ; the remainder of the eye blue and reddish. Dorsal fin light green, with lighter 

 spots on the rays. Membrane of the caudal fin darker than the rays. Ventral and anal fins 

 tipped with bright blue. Pectorals light olive-green. 



Length, 6-0-8-0. Depth, 2'0 - 3"0. 



Fin rays, D. 11.12; P. 14; V. 1.5; A. 6.11 ; C. 17 



3 



This description was drawn up from several specimens which I obtained in Lake Cham- 

 plain, where it is called Rock Bass. It is an edible species, and readily takes the hook. 

 This species occurs abundantly in the great lakes, and in the larger streams in the western 

 counties of the State. Since the completion of the Erie and Champlain canals, it has made 

 its appearance in the Hudson river. The C. ceneus of Richardson, which was recognized by 

 Cuvier, exhibits some difference, particularly in the serratures of the lower margin of the 

 preopercle, which almost incline us to the belief that our species is undescribed. It is possible, 

 however, that these may be variations depending on age or locality. If it be C. ceneus, the 

 characters of the genus will require to be changed. 



THE BLACK FRESH-WATER BASS 



Centrarchus fasciatcs. 



PLATE III. FIG. 8. 



CicUafasciata. Lesueur, Jour. Acad. Sc. Vol. 2, p. 216. 



C. ohioensis. Id. lb. p. 218. 



C. minima. Id. (Young?) 



The Black Bass of the Lake and of the Ohio. Kirtland, Zool. Ohio, p. 191. 



Characteristics. Large. Anal fin with three spines. Color dusky bluish ; often with trans- 

 verse bands. Length, 12-15 inches. 



Description. Body compressed. Back arched, gibbous. Profile descending obliquely 

 to the rostrum, which is moderately prolonged. Scales large, truncate, and with radiating 

 plaits at the radical portion ; the free portion small, rounded, concentrically striate, minutely 

 denticulate on the margin. Scales on the opercle large, with a single series on the sub- 

 opercle ; much smaller on the preopercle, and ascend high up on the membrane of the soft 

 dorsal and caudal fins. The intra-orbital region, and the jaws, scaleless. Lateral line con- 

 current with the back. Eyes moderate. Nostrils double, vertical, contiguous ; the anterior 

 on its posterior border, with a membranous valve ; near these, a few open pores. Opercles 



