FISHES PERCIDAE AMBLOPLITES iENEUS. 



9 



The dorsal fin extends to the entire dorsal region properly so called. The spinous portion 

 ie composed of ten rays, increasing slightly in height from the first to the last, which is 

 shorter than the following soft articulated rays. The latter, thirteen in number, occupy the 

 third of the base of the entire fin. The anal terminates almost evenly with the dorsal ; its soft 

 portion, composed of twelve rays, resembles the dorsal in its general appearance. It is preceded 

 by five spines, shorter than the soft rays, and diminishing in depth forwards. The anterior 

 spiny ray of this fin is situated opposite the seventh dorsal spine. The caudal fin constitutes 

 about the fifth of the total length ; it is posteriorly emarginated, with the extremity of its 

 lobes rounded. The origin of the ventral fins is situated a little in advance of the origin of the 

 dorsal and opposite the inferior edge of the base of the pectorals. Their extremities will extend 

 to the vent when bent backwards alongside the abdomen, but not as far as the origin of the anal 

 fin. The vent itself is situated somewhat anteriorly to the origin of the anal fin. The pectorals 

 are broad and of medium size ; their extremities not extending quite as far posteriorly as those 

 of the ventrals. 



Br. VI ; VI. D X, 13 ; A V, 12 ; C 4, 1, 8, 7, 1, 3 ; V I, 5 ; P 16. 



The lateral line is arched and almost parallel to the outline of the back. The scales are 

 deeper than long on the dorsal and abdominal regions (figs. 2 and 4), and longer than deep in 

 the lateral line (fig. 3). Their posterior margin is entire; radiating furrows exist upon the 

 anterior section only. We observe twenty-two longitudinal series of scales upon the line of 

 greatest depth : sixteen between the lateral line and the mesial line of the belly, and five above 

 the lateral line, and a few irregular series along the base of the dorsal fin. The scales are 

 considerably reduced in size on the nuchal and pectoral regions. Elongated and attenuated 

 scales may likewise be observed along the articulated rays of both the dorsal and anal fins up to 

 their first bifurcation. Upon the caudal fins they assume a still greater development. 



The upper regions are of a coppery brown, darkest upon the dorsal region, becoming lighter 

 towards the sides, whilst the inferior regions are yellowish brown. A blackish spot at the base 

 of each scale gives the appearance of longitudinal darker streaks. These spots, however, are 

 sometimes very obsolete. A jet black patch may be seen towards the upper and posterior angle 

 of the opercle. The fins are unicolor, partaking of the general hue of the region to which they 

 belong. 



References to the figures. — Plate I, fig. 1 represents Amhloplites ceneus somewhat reduced in 



size. Fig. 2 is a scale from the dorsal region. 

 a scale from the abdominal region. 



Fig. 3, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 4, 



The scales are magnified. 



List of specimens. 



2a 



