THE YELLOW BASS AND OTHER BOYS FISHES. 433 



tnoutli somewhat oblique, maxillary nearly reaching middle of 

 orbit ; spines very robust, second anal spine 2-5 length of head; 

 dorsal fins little connected; head 3-in. length; depth 2 2-3; D. 

 IX-I, 12; A. Ill, 9; Lat. I. 50. Length 10 to 15 inches. 



Very similar to the White Bass is the Yellow Bass, which 

 is found in the waters of the Lower Mississippi, rarely going 

 farther north than St. Louis or Cincinnati. It frequents 

 ponds and the deeper parts of the streams, seldom ascend- 

 ing brooks or passing shallows. The most northern locality 

 from which specimens have been seen by me are Brookville, 

 Ind. , and Peoria, Illinois. The Yellow Bass is a fish of 

 more pronounced qualities than the White Bass. Its mouth 

 is larger, its spines are much stronger, its scales are larger 

 and rougher, and its coloration more definite, brassy yellow 

 with lengthwise stripes of black. From its general appear- 

 ance it should be an excellent game-fish, and such no doubt 

 it is. Dr. Goode remarks that it is called in Louisiana "Bar- 

 fish," probably on account of its stripes. "The appellation," 

 says Hallock, "is equally appropriate as applied to its habit 

 of congregating in great numbers upon the shoals of clear- 

 water branches and bayous which empty into the Mississippi. 

 The minnows and shiners seem to seek the bars at night. 

 In early morning the water is alive with Bar-fish and "Trout" 

 (Black Bass), in pursuit of the minnows, until it fairly boils. 

 This is the time of day to go fishing." 



THE WHITE BASS — Roccus cJivysops (Rafinesque). 



Description. — Silvery, tinged with golden below; sides with 

 blackish or dusky longitudinal lines, 4 or 5 above the lateral 

 line, I through which the lateral line runs, and a variable num- 

 ber of more or less distinct ones below it, the latter some- 

 times "more or less interrupted or transposed so as to appear 

 like ancient church music;" dorsal outline much curved, sec- 

 ond anal spine 1-2 length of head; axis of body rather below 

 the middle of its depth; head conical, slightly depressed at 

 the nape; mouth small, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching 

 middle of pupil; head about 3 1-3 in, length; depth about 

 2 1-2; eye large, its diameter equal to the length of the snout; 



28 



