24 LABRAX AMERICANUS. 



intestine runs nearly to the vent, and is then reflected to the base of the pylorus, whence it re- 

 turns to end in the rectum ; it has an indistinct valve, and its walls are thin ; there are five rather 

 long and very slender ccecal appendages. The air-bladder is large, and extends the whole length 

 of the abdomen ; it is sub-oval in shape, and larger before than behind. 



Habits. The White Perch inhabits various bays and inlets of salt water along 

 our coast, and ascends for some distance those rivers that open into the sea ; al- 

 though this is a marine species, it has been transplanted to ponds and lakes of 

 fresh Avater in the Northern States, where it thrives very well. 



Geographical Distribution. The range of the Lalrax Americanus is very 

 great, extending from Massachusetts to South Carolina, Avhich must for the present 

 be considered its extreme southern limit ; and even here it has only been observed 

 in the neighbourhood of Georgetown, whence I have received specimens from Dr. 

 Sparkman and from Dr. Cheves, 



General Remarks. This animal was first described by SchoepiF, under the 

 simple name of Perca, Perch, or River Perch of New York ; which, he says, 

 nearly approaches in size the European Perch ; but it wants the six black bars 

 and the black spot at the extremity of the dorsal fin. Gmelin's description of 

 our animal is taken entirely from Schoepff, but he first applied to it the specific 

 name Atnericana, which must be retained. — Dr. Mitchill, long afterwards, de- , 

 scribed it at first as the Morone rufa, and subsequently as the Bodianiis rufus. — 

 Cuvier and Valenciennes arranged it in the genus Labrax, and applied to it the 

 specific name mucronatus, supposing it to be identical with the Perca mucronata 

 of Rafinesque ; but neither this specific name, nor that of Dr. Mitchill, can be 

 retained, as that of Gmelin, though badly chosen, has the right of priority. 



