96 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



Centropristes striattis. The Sea-bass. Body robust, elevated an- 

 teriorly, somewhat compressed ; head 2| ; depth 2|; eyes; ^• 

 X, II ; A. Ill, 7; scales 5-55-17; head large and thick, naked 

 on top ; mouth rather large, lower jaw projecting ; teeth in 

 broad bands, the canines small ; preopercle serrate; gill-rakers 

 long, about ;ir+ 18; scales on cheeks in 11 rows; caudal fin 

 double concave or three-lobed. 



THE STRIPED-BASS 



{Roccus lineatiis) 



The specific name lineatus, or "striped," was 

 bestowed by Bloch in 1 792. North of the Dela- 

 ware River it is universally called striped-bass, 

 but in more southern waters it is known as rock 

 or rockfish, from its habit of foraging on rocky 

 shores in search of crustaceans and small fishes. 

 From this vernacular name comes the generic 

 name Rocctis. It is found from the Gulf of St. 

 Lawrence to Florida, but is most abundant from 

 Buzzards Bay to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. 

 It has been successfully transplanted to the Pacific 

 coast, where it is now common near San Fran- 

 cisco. 



The form of the striped-bass varies considerably 

 with age. Young specimens are rather slender 

 and symmetrical in outline, the depth being about 

 a fourth of the length. The depth increases 

 with the weie^ht of the fish, while the back be- 



