78 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Crenilaerus. Cuv. 



Generic characters. The Crenilabri have all the external 

 and internal characters of the true Labri, but are distinguished 

 from them by the denticulation of the edge of the preopercu- 

 lum. They are generally a little deeper also in the body com- 

 pared with their length. 



C. burgall. Schoepp. The Conner. Blue Perch. Chogset. 

 Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. p. 402. 



From the middle of June until September, this is a very 

 common species in our waters. It is taken along our whole 

 sea-board, not only by the fishermen's nets in myriads, but by 

 the needy and destitute from our wharves and bridges, and is 

 an excellent fish for the table. 



The colors of this species vary exceedingly ; thus, in the 

 same sweep of the net, some are taken of a deep bluish color ; 

 others, spotted over their entire surface with yellowish spots ; 

 and others, almost of an uniform rust color. 



My description is drawn up from a specimen nine inches in 

 length. Body above, rusty ; sides, spotted over their whole 

 surface with lighter colored spots than the ground of the back ; 

 abdomen of a bluish white color, with sparse spots. Lower 

 part of the gill-covers, together with the throat, and ventral and 

 anal fins, blue. Depth of the body across the base of the ven- 

 trals, exclusive of the dorsal fin, rather more than two inches. 

 Length of the head two inches, slightly flattened on its top ; 

 a perceptible convexity back of the neck, in front of the dorsal 

 fin. Preoperculum finely denticulated upon its posterior edge ; 

 a fleshy prolongation at the posterior angle of the operculum. 

 Between, and in front of the eyes, irregular bluish lines, ap- 

 pearing like hieroglyphics, more strongly marked than on the 

 neck. Diameter of the eye, one line less than the distance 

 between the eyes ; pupils black ; irides silvery. Jaws equal, 

 and with numerous teeth ; those in front larger, recurved ; teeth 



