FISHES PERCIDAE LABRAX CHRTSOPS. 



29 



smallest scales of the body are observed under the chest. The soft portions of the dorsal and 

 anal fins, as also the caudal, exhibit numerous small and polygonal scales. 



The ground color of the body is reddish brown, of a lighter hue beneath than above. The 

 fins are olivaceous or greyish, an obsolete dark spot being occasionally observed upon the pos- 

 terior margin of the base of the dorsal. The opercular flap is jet black, margined witli a light filet. 

 The sides of the head exhibit irregular or meandric bluish (as preserved in alcohol) lines. 



List of specimens. 



LABRAX, Cuv. 



Gem. Char. — Body more or less elongated or deep, compressed. Head moderate. Edge of preopercle denticulated or else 

 serrated. One or more flattened spines upon the opercle. Mouth moderate ; jaws equal. Velvet-like teeth on the jaws, front 

 of vomer and palatine bones. Tongue provided with bands of velvet-like teeth. Cheeks and opercular apparatus scaly. 

 Branchial apertures continuous under the throat. Two dorsal fins contiguous upon their base only. Anal fin provided with 

 three spiny rays. Ventrals inserted posteriorly to the base of the pectorals. Caudal fin posteriorly eraargiuated. Scales well 

 developed and pectinated posteriorly, so as to appear rough to the touch. 



Stn. — Z.a6raa;, (Pallas,) Cnv. Regn. Anim. 11.1817,268. — Storer, Synops. 18 , 

 Lepibtma, Rafin. Ichth. Ohiens. 1820, 23. 



The "striped bass" or "rock fish" of the Atlantic coast, as well as the " white perch" 

 or " little white bass " of our ponds and rivers, both belong to this genus. 



They are fishes familiar to all, at least in an esculent point of view. The species described 

 below is one of rather small size when compared to the "striped bass" or "rock fish," 

 although it is larger than the " white perch." 



So far the fresh water species of this genus have not been observed further west than the basin 

 of the Mississippi, and none of them have as yet been noticed along the Pacific coast. 



LABRAX CHRYSOPS, Grd. 

 striped Bass, &c. 



Plate XI, Figs. 1—4. 



Spec. Char. — Body rather short, very deep and compressed. Profile of head sub-conical ; both jaws sub-equal. Posterior 

 extremity of maxillary bone extending to a vertical line drawn within the anterior rim of the orbit, about midway to the pupil. 

 Scales very large. Olivaceous above, silvery on the sides, interrupted by dark brown longitudinal stripes, and white 

 beneath. 



