HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



13 



Color. Greenish-brown above, with irregularly distributed rusty blotches; in some 

 specimens a certain regularity is observed in the arrangement of these blotches, pro- 

 ducing longitudinal bands along the sides. Beautiful, undulating, longitudinal deep- 

 blue lines across gill-covers. Opercular membrane black, with a bright scarlet blotch 

 at its posterior portion. Abdomen whitish. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins dark brown. 

 Ventrals and pectorals yellowish. 



Description. Body compressed, oval. The back curves very gradually as far as the 

 posterior extremity of the dorsal fin, then abruptly gives place to the fleshy portion of 

 the tail. Head less than one fourth the length of the body. Eyes large, circular. 

 Nostrils double, the anterior tubular. Mouth small ; teeth very minute and sharp. The 

 ed°-e of the preopercle very finely denticulated. The lateral line arises at the upper 

 posterior edge of the operculum, and, assuming the curve of the body, is lost at the 

 base of the caudal rays. Scales upon the body large, dentated at their bases ; those 

 at the base of the fins, small. 



The soft portion of the dorsal fin is highest and rounded posteriorly. The ex- 

 tremities of the spines of the anterior portion of this fin project above the connecting 

 membrane ; attached to them are small tubercles. The first dorsal spine is shortest ; 

 the fourth and fifth spines are the longest. 



The pectorals are long, when extended reaching the soft portion of the dorsal fin. 

 The anal terminates on a line with the dorsal. 

 The caudal is emarginate. 



The fin rays are as follows:— D. 10-12. P. 13. V. 1 - 5. A. 3-10. C. 17. 

 Length rarely exceeds eight inches. 



Remarks. As Agassiz, in his work on Lake Superior, considers our species as dis- 

 tinct from that which is known in the Southern States by the same scientific name, I 

 have omitted several references in my list of synonymes which were retained in my 

 " Synopsis." It is a common species in the ponds of the various portions of the State, 

 and is taken with the Perca Jlavescens, Leuciscus chrysolencas, Esox reticulatus, kc. 

 By many it is considered a very sweet fish, although it is but seldom brought to 

 market. It is known by the names of "Bream," "Ruff," "Pumpkin-seeds," and 

 " Kivers." 



They build circular nests by removing the weeds from the bottom, and excavating 

 the sand or gravel to so great an extent that they are often two feet in width and a 

 half foot in depth. They are commonly placed near each other, and sometimes in so 

 shallow water that the usual falling of the river in summer will leave them dry. In this 

 way, besides the ordinary chance of falling a prey to the appetite of other fishes, a 



