12 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The caudal is slightly convex at its centre, and its upper portion projects heyond the 

 lower. It is scaled quite high upon its rays, which are bifid and articulated. 



The fiu rays are as follows: — D. 10-11. P. 17 or 18. V. 1 - 5. A. 3-7. C. 

 17 or 18. Length about one foot. 



Remarks. This species, which is known among our fishermen as the " Black Bass " 

 and " Black Fish," is taken in large numbers in the months of May, June, and July at 

 Holmes's Hole, and carried to the New York market, where it is considered one of the 

 most valuable fishes, and meets with a ready sale. While visiting Gay-Head in August, 

 1846, I learned that this species had become much less abundant there than formerly. 

 Thirty years since, it was not an uncommon circumstance for sixty sail of vessels to be 

 fishing about Gay-Head at a time. And even fifteen years ago, this species was cpjite 

 numerous ; but several years since it disappeared almost entirely. They are beginning 

 to reappear again within the last two or three years, but are quite small. They are 

 taken about ledges in deep water, and weigh from five to eight pounds. They seldom 

 wander into Massachusetts Bay ; the few that are met with in Boston market are 

 brought from New Bedford. July 1st, 1846, a specimen was taken at Nahant. 



Massachusetts, Storer. New York to Florida, Dekay. 



This is evidently MitchilPs Perca varia, and I have therefore retained his specific 

 name. 



GENUS IV. POMOTIS, Cov. 



A few denticulations, more or less obvious, on the borders of the preoperculum. 

 Palatines and tongue smooth, and without teeth. Minute teeth on the jaws, vomer, 

 and pharyngeals. Branchial rajs, six. A membranous elongation at the angle of the 

 operculum. 



Pomotis vulgaris, Cuv. 



The Bream. 



(Plate III. Fig. 1.) 



Le Pomotis Commun, Pomotis vulgaris, Cuv. et Val., in. p. 91, pi. 49, et vn. p. 465. 

 Pomotis vulgaris, Regne Animal, ed. Val., pi. 10, fig. 3. 



" " Northern Pomotis, Rich., Fauna Boreal. Americ, in. p. 24, pi. 76. 



" " Jardine, Nat. Lib., i. p. 162. 



' " Fresh-water Sun-fish, Pond Perch, Bream, Storer, Report, p. 11. 



" " Avres, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., lv. p. 258. 



" - " Sun-fish, Roach, Kirtland, Report on Zool. of Ohio, p. 191. 



" " Harlequin Roach, Kirtland, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., in. p. 470, pi. 23, fig. 2. 



" " Thompson, History of Vermont, p. 130. 



" " Common Pond-fish, Dekay, Report, p. 31, pi. 51, fig. 166. 



" " Linsley, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. 



" " Storer, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 292. 



" " Storer, Synopsis, p. 40. 



" " Agassiz, Lake Superior, p. 293. 



