VI PREFACE. 



in colors; but the fact that the species vary so greatly in color- 

 ation in diffei'ent sections, rendered this inexpedient, and the 

 design was abandoned. 



In the technical portion of the book the author has a\ ailed 

 himself of all published information on the subject of the Micro- 

 pteri, for which he has given due credit in the proper places. But 

 I desire particularly to express my profound obligation to Pi'of 

 Theo. Gill, for permission to use his valuable writings, and like- 

 wise to him, Profs. Spencer F. Baird and G. Brown Goode, for 

 information freely given, and for excerpts from rare books in the 

 library of the Smithsonian Institution. I also tender my sincere 

 thanks and grateful acknowledgments to Prof. David S. Jordan, 

 for his uniform kindness, encouragement and advice, for the loan 

 of books, and for the cordial, kindly and courteous interest he 

 has manifested in me and my book. 



I am aware that the change made in the scientific names of 

 the Black Bass species, Avill be looked upon by many, at first, as 

 unwise and injudicious; but, under the circumstances, I could 

 not have done otherwise than to restore the names rightfully be- 

 longing to them, inasmuch as by so doing it clears up the former 

 confusion attending the nomenclature of the species, and renders 

 plain the causes of the same. Moreover, as the names Micropterus 

 for the genus, and dolomieu and salmoides for the species, are 

 the first ever bestowed, in each instance, their adoption will be 

 not only an act of justice, but of expediency, for as we can not 

 go back of them, it sets the matter at rest, forever. 



JAMES A. HENSHALL. 



Cincinnati, July, 1861. 



