252 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



occupy most of the upper surface. Dorsal and caudal fins ornamented 

 with a network of broad, dark lines. Length reaching as much as one 

 foot, and the weight nearly three pounds. 



Distributed from Louisiana to Minnesota and eastward ; most common 

 northward. In Indiana it is found abundantly, especially in the north- 

 ern portion of the State. Wabash River (i7, III, 88) ; Carroll County, 

 Q23, '88, 49) ; Tippecanoe River (1, '11, 44) ; Marshall County (4, '88, 

 159); Clark County (;?.i, '88, 56) ; Monroe County (i, '85, 410); Marion 

 County (i, '77, 376); Greene County (J-;, '88, 209); Vincennes, Gib- 

 son and Posey counties (^, '88, 163); Vigo County (JO, 95); Winamac; 

 Eel River Basin (4, '94, 38). 



This is one of the most important of the native food-fishes of the coun- 

 try. It is found in the larger and deeper rivers and lakes. Dr. Jared 

 Kirtland states that it usually resorts to deep and sluggish waters, but 

 finds its way into streams where the conditions are quite different, and 

 soon adapts itself to its new surroundings. He regarded it as " the fish 

 for the millions," being perfectly adapted for stocking ponds. It in- 

 creases rapidly and thrives with little care. It disturbs no other fishes, 

 bites readily, and is an excellent pan fish. Smith (he. cit.) says that it 

 is one of the most important and least appreciated of our fishes. He 

 states that it occurs chiefly where there are grassy shores. It is a com- 

 mon fish in the markets of Chicago. As to the food. Dr. Forbes did not 

 find it to be distinguishable from the next described species. 



Dr. Bean states (x'5, 103) that gravid females of this species have been 

 taken in May. 



PoMOXYS ANNULARIS Rafinesque. 



Grapple ; Bachelor ; Campbellite. 



Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, S, 464; Jordan, 1884, 1:2, 407, pi. 160. 



Body deep and compressed. Depth in the length about two and one- 

 half times. Head in length about two and tAvo-thirds. The profile is 

 very concave over the eyes, so that the snout appears much upturned. 

 Lower jaw projecting much beyond the upper. Mouth oblique, very 

 large, the maxillary reaching back to a perpendicular from the middle of 

 the pupil. Preorbital serrated below. Scales, 6-48-14. Rays of the 

 dorsal VI, 15; of anal VI, 18. General color silvery, more olive above 

 and with dusky raottlings. Fins usually nearly plain whitish, but often 

 with some dark mottlings. Greatest length about one foot. 



Distributed throughout the Mississippi Valley, more common south- 

 ward. Falls of the Ohio River (Rafinesque) ; Vigo County (JJ, '88, 55) ; 

 Clark County (J-J, '88, 56^ ; Frauklin County (5, No. 2, 6) ; Monroe 

 County (J, '85, 410) ; White River at Indianapolis (1, '77, 376) ; region 



