THE SUN-FISHES AND THEIR ALLIES. 67 



not penetrate far into the interior. It seldom reaches a weight of much 

 over a pound, but from its abundance becomes in the rivers of the South 

 a food-fish of some importance. Like the others, it feeds on worms, 

 Crustacea and small fishes, and spawns in early summer. 



The Blue Sun-fish, Lepomis pallidus, is also known as the " Blue Bream " 

 and "Copper-nosed Bream," and in Kentucky sometimes as the " Dol- 

 lardee." This is the most widely distributed of our Sun-fishes, ranging 

 from New Jersey and the Great Lakes to Florida and Mexico. It reaches 

 a weight of one-and-one-half to two pounds, and, in some regions, is an 

 important market fish. Its habits adapt it especially for cultivation 

 in ponds. 



Many other species of similar size abound in the fresh waters of the 

 Mississippi Valley, and are known as "Sun-fish," "Bream" and "Perch." 

 L. cyanellus and L. megalotis are universally abundant both North and 

 South ; the others are chiefly Southern. All take the hook readily, and 

 are good pan-fish, but from their small size they have no economic im- 

 portance, and are valued chiefly by urchins and negroes. 



The Warmouth, Chcenobryttus gulosus, is well-known throughout the 

 South. The names "Perch," "Sun-fish," "Goggle-eye" and " Red- 

 eye " it shares with others of its relatives. It is found in all the lowland 

 streams from Virginia to Texas, and in all the Southern States, and is gener- 

 ally abundant. In habits, food, size and value it agrees closely with the 

 Rock Bass. 



The Black Warmouth, Chcenobryttus antistius, a species also called " War- 

 mouth," "Big-mouth," "Sun-fish" and "Goggle-eye," abounds in the 

 tributaries of the Upper Mississippi, and is often taken in Lake Michigan. 

 In Illinois it is an important food-fish. In size, habits and value it is 

 sufficiently similar to the Rock Bass. 



The Sacramento Perch, Aj-choplitcs interruptus, known only by the name 

 of " Perch," a name applied in the San Francisco markets to many very 

 different fishes. It has been thus far found only in the Sacramento and 

 San Joaquin Rivers and tributaries. It is abundant in the lower parts of 

 these rivers, large numbers being shipped to the market in San Francisco. 

 It is there bought and consumed mainly by the Chinese, Avho value it 

 highly, paying for it more than for any other fish which they consume. 

 Although it is an excellent pan -fish, very similar to the black bass, we 

 have never seen any of them bought by Americans. It reaches a weight 



