100 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



spinous and 12 articulated rays, of wiiich latter the 4, 5, 5, 7 

 are longest; the first spinous ray very short, the second slightly 

 longer, and the third double the length of the preceding; caudal 

 fin eniarginate, tips rounded, and composed of 16 flat robust, 

 multifid and six accessory rays on each side; length 13.5; of 

 head, 4.0; greatest depth, 4.2; fin rays, D. 9.1,14; P. 18; V. 5; 

 A. 3, 12; C. l(>g- 



This species is common in the great lakes and in the numer- 

 ous smaller ones in this state, where it is generally known under 

 the name of Black Bass. This species api>ears to differ very 

 much in different localities, not only in color but in form, and 

 according to Dr. Kirtland, the same individual will change its 

 color repeatedly in a short space of time if confined in a vessel of 

 water."— (DeKay, FisJies K Y. 28, 1842.) 



Centrarchus obscurus DeKay, 1842. — "Body compressed, 

 regularly arched above, not gibbous, highest along the spinous 

 portion of the dorsal fin ; scales small, or])icular, concentrically 

 striate on their free surfaces, covering the head and body and 

 rising very slightly on the base of the dorsal; lateral line tubular 

 above the upper margin of theopercle; makes a curve down- 

 wards over the point of the opercle, then rises a little anterior 

 to the first spinous ray of the dorsal, and then becomes concur- 

 rent with the line of the back; head moderately small, and some- 

 what pointed, sloping gradually to the nape, thence ascending more 

 rai)idly to the dorsal ray; eyes very large; nostrils double, dis- 

 tant, the posterior largest; a small mucous pore below the an- 

 terior nostril; lower jaw longest ; numerous fine teeth in both 

 -jaws, very acute and recurved, forming many rows in front and 

 fewer on the sides of the jaw ; still more minute teeth on the 

 vomer and palatines; opercular bones scaly; the opercle with a 

 membranous margin, and terminating in a flat point, which is 

 occasionally double; the dorsal fin arises behind the base of the 

 ]x;ctorals, composed of 9 spinous and 13 simple rays; the first 

 spinous is shortest ; the first of the soft portion simple, the re- 



