SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 



245 



North Carolina the small-mouthed black bass is much less widely distributed 

 than the large-mouthed species. It is krtown from Neuse River near Raleigh, 

 and Little River at Goldsboro, and from Swannanoa River near Asheville, and 

 Spring Creek at Hot Springs, in all of which places it is common. As its general 

 and local distribution indicates, this species prefers cooler, clearer, and swifter 

 water than its congener, and is a less hardy but more gamy fish. It is one of the 

 best and most sought of American game fishes, and is probably entitled to first 

 rank in this respect, taking the artificial fly, the baited hook, or the troll in a 

 fashion to thrill even the veteran angler. 



Fig. 106. Small-mouthed Black Bass. Micropterus dolomieu. 



It is exceeded in size by the other species, and is rarely heavier than 6 

 pounds, while averaging only 2 or 2^ pounds. 



212. MICROPTERUS SALMOIDES (Lacepede). 

 "Chub"; "Welshnian"; "Trout"; "Fresh- water Trout"; Large-mouthed Black Bass. 



Labrus sahnoides Lacepede, Histoire Naturelle des Poisons, 716, 1802; South Carolina. 



Micropterus niffricans, Cope, 18706, 4.51; Neuse, Yadkin, Catawba, and French Broad rivers. 



Micropterus sahnoides, .Jordan, 18896, 130; Neuse and Little rivers. Smith, 1893n, 192, 196, 200; Pasquotank 

 River, Albemarle Sound, Roanoke River at Plymouth and Weldon. Smith, 18936, 282, pi. Ixi; Curri- 

 tuck Sound. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1012, pi. clxiii, fig. 431. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Walnut 

 Creek (tributary of Neuse), near Raleigh. Smith, 1901 , 134; Lake Mattamuskeet. 



Diagnosis. — Greatest depth about .33 lengtli; length of head about equal to depth; 

 mouth large and wide, the maxillary in adults extending beyond eye; bands of vilUform teeth 

 on jaws and roof of mouth, teeth sometimes present on tongue; eye .5 to .66 length of snout; 

 gill-rakers on first arch 17 or 18, usually 10 above angle; scales in lateral series about 68, in 

 transverse series 25; scales on cheeks not much smaller than on body, in about 10 rows; dorsal 

 rays x,12 or x,13, the longest spine (fourth) more than half length of longest soft ray; anal rays 

 111,10 or 111,11, the first spine about .5 length of second, the second about .5 length of third; 

 caudal fin incised posteriorly; pectoral fins rounded, .5 length of head; ventrals rounded, 

 shorter than pectorals. Color: back green, sides silvery green, belly white; a well defined 

 black lateral band in both yoimg and adults, this breaking up and growing fainter with age; a 

 few small irregtdarly disposed dark spots on sides; 3 dark bands radiating from eye posteriorly; 

 caudal pale near body, black at margin, with a white edge. (salmoides, like a salmon or trout; 

 the fish is called "trout" throughout the southern states.) 



