252 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



back to the eye, moderately pointed nose, and projecting lower jaw. Young fish 

 are more slender than old. The two dorsal fins are about equal in length, the 

 first (9 stiff spines) triangular in outline, originating over the middle of the pec- 

 toral; the second (14 soft rays) is regularly graduated in height from front to rear, 

 and separated from the first by a distinct though short space. The anal 

 (about 11 rays preceded by 3 spines) is of about the same size and form as the sec- 

 ond dorsal, and originates below the middle of the latter. The caudal is moderately 

 long and only slightly forked. The pectorals and ventrals are of moderate size, 

 the latter somewhat behind the former. 



Fig. 118— Adult 



Fig. 119.— Larva, 5 millimeters 

 STRIPED BASS (Roccus Uneatus) 



Color. — Dark olive green varying to blue above, paling on the sides, and silver 

 on the belly, sometimes with brassy reflections. The sides are barred with seven 

 or eight narrow, black, longitudinal stripes, which follow as many rows of scales 

 and which may be variously interrupted. The highest stripe is the most distinct, 

 and all of them but the lowest are above the level of the pectoral fins. 



Size. — The bass grows to a great size, the heaviest of which we have found 

 definite record being several of about 125 pounds taken at Edenton, N. C, in 

 April, 1891. 15 One of 112 pounds, which must have been at least 6 feet long, was 

 caught at Orleans, Mass., many years ago, while fish of 50 to 75 pounds are not 

 exceptional, but the usual run of those caught weigh only 3 to 30 pounds, and the 

 average weight of the bass recorded in the register of the former Glades Hotel 16 

 at Scituate, Mass., during the period 1854 to 1S5S, was about 27 pounds. A bass 

 3 feet long weighs about 18 pounds. 



ii Smith. North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, Vol. II, 1907, p. 271. Raleigh. 

 >• Kindly lent by Mr. John Adams. 



