22 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



Thus numerous and well marked are tlie differences between the 

 two groups ; within the limits of neither of these groups were found 

 differences in the slightest degree comparable with them, or that 

 suggested the differentiation of the forms into distinctly marked 

 subordinate types: in other words, no differences were found of 

 specific value, and, although a renewed examination may possibly 

 result in the discovery of some, their value must be very slight in 

 comparison with those distinguishing the two groups indicated: 

 these groups may therefore be considered as specific. The question 

 now arises. What are the names to which they are respectively en- 

 titled? In order to ascertain this, it is advisible to enter quite fully 

 into the very complicated history of the genus. Bearing strictly in 

 mind the differential features of the two species, we may now 

 proceed to an analysis of the successive descriptions of forms of the 

 genus and endeavor to refer them to their respective types. 



The first scientific allusions to any species of the genus are found 

 in the great Avork on fishes by Comte de Lacepede.* 



In 1800, in the third volume (pj). 716, 717), Lacepede introduced 

 into his system, under the name Labrus salmoides, a species based on 

 a description and figure sent him by Bosc fi-om South Carolina, 

 which, according to Cuvier and Valenciennes, relate to the small- 

 mouthed type. 



In 1801, in the fourth volume (p. 325), Lacepede described, as a 

 new generic type, named Micropterus Dolomieu,^ a fish concerning 

 which no particulars were given as to habitat or station, and which 

 could not have been positively identified from the description : the 

 original specimen having been preserved, however, Cuvier and Val- 

 enciennes ascertained that it belonged to the genus Grystes, and was. 



* Lacepede (Bernard Germain Etienne de la Ville-sur-Illon, Comte de). 

 Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, . . . Paris, . . . [179S-1S03, 4to, 5 v]. 

 t" 121e genre. Les Micropteres. 



" Un ou plusieurs aiguillons, et point de dentelure aux opercules ; un bar- 

 billon, ou point de barbillon aux machoires ; deux nageoires dorsalos; la 

 seconde tres-basse, tres-courte, et comprenant au plus cinq rayons. 

 " Espece. Le Microptere Dolomieu. 



" Caracttres. Dix rayons aiguillonn^s et sept rayons articul^s ft la premiere 

 nageoire du dos; quatre rayons a la seconde; deux rayons aiguillonngs et 

 onze rayons articulfis ft la nageoire de I'anus ; la caudate en croissant ; un ou 

 deux aiguillons ft la seconde piece de chaque opercule." [Br. 5; p. 16 ; v. i, 5; 

 c. 171. 



