84. CENTRAECHID.E MICROPTEEUS. 485 



and slug<»isli waters. It grows to a larger size than the next species, 

 and is readily distinguished by its coloration and the larger month and 

 larger scales. Both species vary much with different waters. 



(Lalrus salmoides Laccpcde, Hist. Naf. Poiss. iv, 716, 1802: Lepomis pallida Raf. 

 Iclitli. Oh. 30, 1820; Jordan, Ami. Lye. Nat. Hist, xi, 314, 1877: Cichla floridana Le 

 Siu'ur, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila. 1822, 220: Huro nigricans C. & V. ii, 124: Huro 

 nigricans Giiuther, i, 255: Alicroptenis nigricans Gill, Proc. Aiuer. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 1873, 

 70 (aud of most late writers): Dioplitcs nnccfnsis Grd. U. S. Mex. Bouud. Ichtli. 3; 

 Micropterus salmoides Heushall, Book of the Black Bass, 1881, 110.) 



aa. Moutli smaller, the maxillary in the adult not extending beyond orbit; scales 

 smaller, 72-75 iu the lateral line; 10-12 series above the lateral liue. 



760. 31. doloinieu Lac. — Small-mouthed Blade Bass. 



Body ovate-fusiform, becoming deeper with age. Head large. Mouth 

 large, but smaller than in M. salmoides, the maxillary ending consider- 

 ably in front of the hinder margin of the orbit. Scales on the cheek 

 minute, in about 17 rows; scales on the trunk comparatively small. 

 Dorsal fin deeply notched, but less so than in M. salmoides, the ninth 

 spine being about half as long as the longest, and not much shorter than 

 the tenth. Coloration quite variable, the young dull golden green, with 

 bronze lustre; darker spots along the sides, which tend to form short 

 vertical bars, but never a dark lateral band; 3 bronze bauds radiating 

 from eye across cheeks and opercles; a dusky spot on point of opercu- 

 lum; belly white; caudal flu yellowish at base, then black, with white 

 tips; dorsal with bronze spots, its edge dusky. In some waters the fin- 

 markings are obsolete, but usually they are very conspicuous iu the 

 young. Southern specimens usually have the scales of the lower i)art 

 of the sides with faint dark streaks; adult specimens have all these 

 marks more or less wholly obliterated, and become ultimately of a uni- 

 form dead green, without silvery lustre. Head 3i; depth 3 J. D. X, 13; 

 A. Ill, 10 or 11; scales 11-74-17. Bivers of the United States, from 

 the Great Lake region to South Carolina and Arkansas; abundant, 

 frequenting running streams, and preferring clear and cool waters; its 

 southern limit is bounded by the presence of such waters. As a game 

 fish this species is usually more highly Valued than its congener.* 



(Lac6pMc, Hist. Nat. Poiss, iv, 325, 1802; Henshall, Book of the Black Bass, 1S81, 

 84: Bodianus achigan Raf. Amer. Monthly Mag. & Crit. Rev. ii, 120, 1817: Grystes 

 salmoides C. & V. iii, 54: Grystes salmonoidts Giinther, i, 252: Micropterus salmoidea 

 Gill, Proc. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 1873, ()7, and of many American writers: Calliunis 

 puvcinlatiis Iliif. Ichth. Oh. 2G: Grystes fasciatus Giiuther, i, <j5b: Ccntrarchus ohscuriis 

 Giiuther, 1, 258.) 



•Both this species and the prcce<liug are pojiularly kuowu iu the Southern States 

 by the grossly erroneous name of "Trout." 



