CENTRARCHUS — ROUND SUNFISH 241 



amined had taken a larger percentage of both Entomostraca and 

 of fishes, and a smaller one of aquatic insects. These differences 

 of ratio are, however, very likely local and seasonal. 



The common names of this species most used in Illinois are 

 black crappie, calico bass, and strawberry bass, the first in 

 central Illinois and the others in the northern part of the state. 



It does not reach as large- a size as the white crappie, the 

 largest specimens taken weighing not much over 134 pounds. 



The species spawned in May at Havana in 1898, and speci- 

 mens taken as early as April 19 yielded eggs and milt under 

 pressure. 



This crappie has been successfully introduced into France. 

 Its hardy endurance of both heat and cold, and also of foul 

 water, is especially favorable to its transportation and acclima- 

 tization. The statistics of the catch of the black crappie from 

 the Mississippi and the Illinois are included under those of the 

 preceding species. 



Genus CENTRARCHUS Cuvier and A^'alenciennes 



ROUND SUNFISH 



Body short and deep, compressed; opercle emarginate behind; mouth 

 large; maxillary with a supplemental bone; teeth on vomer, palatines, en- 

 topterygoids, ectopterygoids, and tongue; pharyngeal teeth sharp; gill-rakers 

 setiform, very long and finely dentate, 20 to 30 in the lower angle of the arch; 

 dorsal spines about 12; anal spines about 8; caudal emarginate; scales not 

 strongly ctenoid. Southern and southeastern United States; one species. 

 The genus is closely allied to Ponioxis, from which it is separated only by a 

 greater development of the spinous dorsal and anal fins, and by the presence 

 of teeth on the ectopterygoids. 



CENTRARCHUS MACROPTERUS (Lacepede) 



ROUND SUNFISH; FLIER 



(Map LXXII) 



Lac6pMe, 1802, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 447 (Labrus). 



J. & G., 463; M. V., 114; B., I, 8; J. & E., I, 988; N., 37 (irideus); J., 47 (irideus) ; 

 F., 70; L., 23; F. F., I. 3, 56 (irideus). 



Length 4 inches (occasionally 6) ; body ovate, strongly compressed, pro- 

 file angled at nape; depth 1.9 to 2.1 in length; greatest width more than 3 in 

 greatest depth; depth caudal peduncle 1 to 1.2 in its length. Color green, 

 with series of dark brown spots on sides below lateral line, forming inter- 

 rupted longitudinal lines; a dark spot below eye; soft dorsal and anal reticu- 

 lated; young with a black ocellus at base of soft dorsal. Head rather small, 

 2.7 to 3.1 in length; width of head 1.9 to 2.1 in its length; interorbital space 



