SCIENTIFIC HISTORY OF THE BLACK BASS, 45 



Omitting papers of lesser iniportaiice, we come finally to the very- 

 able discussion of these questions by Professor Gill (Proc. Am. Ass. 

 Adv. Sci., 1873, p. 55-72), in which the whole subject is exhaustively 

 treated, and the name Micropterus salmoides is definitely adopted for 

 the small-mouthed Black Bass. This arrangement has been followed 

 by most recent iclithyologists. In an important paper just now pass- 

 ing through the press (Mission Scientifiqut' au Mexique), however, 

 Messrs. Yaillant and Bocourt have adopted the name Mierojiterns sal- 

 vioides for the large-mouthed species, for the reasons indicated above. 



This question resolves itself into two. Is the specific name sal- 

 moldes available for either species? and if so, for which? 



Between the publication of the works of Lacepcde and Cuvier 

 both species had been more than once described under different 

 names by Rafinesque and Le Sueur. Of these names, Lepomls pal- 

 lida Raf. for the large-mouthed Black Bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lac. 

 for the southern, and Bodlanus achigan Raf. for the northern variety 

 of the small-mouth have priority over the others. All these, there- 

 fore, antedate any precise definition of the name salmoides. 



Tlie question as to Avhether a specific name, at first loosely applied 

 and afterwards precisely fixed, shall claim priority from its first use 

 or not, has been differently answered by different writers, and has 

 perhaps never been settled by general usage. I suppose that the 

 amount of doubt or confusion arising from its use or rejection enters 

 with most writers as an element. The name salmoides, left unsettled 

 by Lacepcde, has been generally received by writers, in consequence 

 of the supposed precision given to it by Cuvier. We have seen, 

 however, that both species were included by Cuvier under one name, 

 and that we must look farther for real restriction of the species. 

 The first distinct use of the name salmoides for any particular species 

 is by Holbrook, for the large-mouthed form. On the basis of the 

 first unquestionable restriction, the name, if used at all, must be 

 applied to that species. Forty years previous to this restriction, 

 however, the specific name pallidas was conferred on the same fish 

 by Rafinesque. 



In the writings of nearly all the older naturalists, as well as in 

 many of the later ones, we find descriptions of species which are 

 really generic in their value, and which, as our knowledge of species 

 becomes greater, can not be disposed of with certainty or even with 



