200 



AMERICAN FlsmCS. 



AC ANTHOPTER YG II. 



PERCID/K. 



Cyprmu^ Caipio; Linnaeus, Cuvier 



THE COMMON POND FISH. 



FRESH WATER .^UX FISH. 



Pomntis Vulgarix, — Cuvier. 



This beautiful little fish has gained its provincial name from the 

 extreme brilliancy of its colors when disporting itself in the sunshine. 

 The numerous spots on its body have procured for it the abstird name 

 of Pumpkin-sccd in many States, and in Massachusetts it is known as 

 Bream. It is valueless as an article of food, and equally so as a bait 

 fish, its acute spines deterring any fish from seizing it. It is, however, 

 a constant object of pursuit to boy and lady anglers. 



It has very many varieties, and a wide geographical range, being 

 found from Lake Huron, through all the Eastern States, and along the 

 Atlantic coast so far south as Carolina. 



Its color is greenish olive above, with irregular points of red and 

 I^roader yellow or reddish brown spots disposed in very irregular lines. 

 Ranges of brighter spots on the liluish operculum, and on the hinder 

 proloniration of the operculum a black spot with a liright scarlet margin. 



Its body is much compressed, very broad, oval. Scales large and 

 even. Forehead sloping to the snout. Lateral line concurrent with 



