An uncommon fish from four to twelve inches long. I ob- 

 •served it at the falls; rare in the Ohio, more common in some 

 small streams. Vulgar names, Painted-tail or Bride-perch. 

 Tail with two lobes, slightly unequal, base flexuosc. Belly and 

 lower fins pale, anal fin with 13 rays, the three anterior spiny 

 and shorter, behind rounded and far from the tail, although 

 nearer th-an the doi^sal fin. Thoracic fin with five rays, none of 

 which appear spiny, and no appendage. Pectoral fins short, 

 trapezoidal, with 15 rays. BrancJiial rays concealed. 

 IV. Genus. Sunfish. Icthelis. Icthele. 

 Body elliptical or oval very compressed, scaly. Mouth small, 

 with small teeth and thin lips. Gill cover double, scaly, with- 

 out serrature or spines. One dorsal fin, broader behind with 

 anterior spiny rays, as »vell as the anal and thoracic fins, these 

 without appendages. Vent hardly posterior. Lat«ral line fol- 

 lowing the curve of the back. 



Synonomy Leponiis. Prod. 70 New Genera, 13 Genus. 

 An extensive genus, which contains perhaps 20 species, most 

 •efvi^hich were blended with the Labrus auritus and Xa^rw* 

 -virginicus of Linneus. They differ from the genus Labrus or 

 rather Sfiarus^ by the scaly opercule and the thoracic fins with- 

 out appendage. I have already detected six species in the wes- 

 tern waters; but there are more. I divide-them into two sub- 

 genera. Meaning Sun-fish. All good to eat, and easily taken 

 with the hook; they feed on worms and young fishes. They 

 are permanent. 



1st Subgenus. Telipomis. 

 Opercule without appendage; but spotted — Meaning spot- 

 ted gills. 



6th Species. Gilded Sunfish. Icthelis macrochira. Itch- 

 el c macrochire. 



Body oval,oblong, gilt, crowded with small brown dotts; head 

 small, scaly, opercule flexuose, spot narrow marginal and black, 

 jaws equal: tail furked; pectoral fins long and narrow, reach- 

 ing the anal fin, which has 13 rays, whereof three are spiny. 



A pretty species from three to four inches long. In the O- 

 hio. Green river, Wabash, &c Names, Sun-fish, Gold-fish, &c. 

 Head rather acutQ, not scaly before the eyes. Iris gilt brown. 



