72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Sub-class Teleostei. Peecoid^. 



The edge of the preopercle very finely serrated. The operculum 

 terminates in a blunt point, which is prolonged by a membranous 

 appendage, which is black with a bright scarlet spot at its ex- 

 tremity. The gill covers present beautiful blue, or azure lines run- 

 ning lengthwise across them. 



Body is oval and very much compressed and flattened, of a 

 greenish color above, with irregular spots or blotches of red or 

 rusty colors rather irregularly disposed along the sides. The ab- 

 domen is of a whitish silvery color. The lateral line curves with 

 the outlines of the back. The scales are quite large and are tooth- 

 ed at their base. 



The dorsal fins are made up of spinous and soft rays, and the por- 

 tion of soft rays is highest and rounded ; the anterior portion of it 

 is spinous, and this portion has ten rays, and the soft portion 

 twelve. 



The pectorals are pretty long, of a triangular shape, and gener- 

 ally reach to the soft portion of the dorsal. The ventrals have one 

 spinous ray. The anal fins extend as far as the dorsal. The cau- 

 dal fin is emarginate. 



Ray formula — 



D. 10, 12; P. 1, 5; A. 3, 16; C. 11. 



Very seldom over eight inches long. 



Stkonymes. — Labrus auriius, Lin. 



Morone maculata, Mitch. 



Pomotis appendix, DeKay. 

 Red-tailed Bream. 



This species of Pomotis is not so abundant as the Pomotis vul- 

 garis. DeKay describes it as more robust in body, thick and 

 chubby than the above named. The prolongation or appendix to 

 the operculum broader and longer, and of a black color. Mouth 

 and gape larger. Storer describes the dorsal fin as being ante- 

 riorly dark brown and the posterior membranous portion red ; ven- 

 trals red at their base. Pectorals yellowish brown. Anal yellow- 

 ish at the base and fuliginous at its margin. Caudals of a blood 

 red color. After death he observes that the body becomes of a 

 bluish-gray color, abdomen orange, extremities of the ventrals 

 purple, and the tail a rust color. 



