86 CHECK LIST OF THE 



oblique, the interorbital space slightly convex. Mouth small, oblique, the 

 maxilla not greatly expanded behind, reaching to below the front of the 

 eye. Scales on the cheeks in five rows. The gill rakers are short and 

 itout, about fifteen developed on the first arch. No supplemental maxil- 

 larv bone. No palatine teeth. Caudal fin notched, its middle rays three- 

 fourths as long as the outer. The lateral line follows the curve of the 

 back. 



D. X., II ; A. III., lo. Scales, 7-41-15. 



Colour, rich greenish olive on back, becoming paler on sides ; top ol 

 head dark greenish ; opercles and cheek bluish ; opercular flap rich velvety 

 black, a small whitish spot above near its base ; side with three or four 

 broad darker greenish bars ; fins all greenish, the pectoral palest ; a large 

 black blotch on last rays of dorsal, a similar one on anal ; the dark bars 

 become obsolete in the adult ; no blue stripes on cheek ; no red on fins ; 

 old individuals often with the belly coppery red or brassy. 



This is the largest of the Sunfishes, reaching sometimes a length of 

 twelve inches or rather more, and a weight of about a pound. Tiie finest 

 specimens I ever saw were taken from the Rideau a few miles above King- 

 ston. It occurs abundantly in some parts of Lakes Ontario and Erie and 

 their tributaries, but I have not heard of it in the nortliwestern part of 

 the Province. 



As a table fish it is highly esteemed, and, in proportion to its size, 

 possesses greater fighting qualities than any fresh-water fish we have. 



Gems EUPOMOTIS. 



Very closely related to Lepomis, differing only in the blunter and 

 moi-e pavement-like teeth of the lower pharyngeal bones. These bones 

 are, in the typical species, broad and concave, specially in the adult. There 

 is considerable variation among the species, and it is possible that this 

 division can not be maintained. Most of the species have long pectoral 

 fins, the suplemental maxillary lost or very much reduced, and the oper- 

 cular flap always with an orange patch on its lower posterior part. Gill 

 rakers various, usually short. 



Subgenus EUPOMOTIS. 



(gi) Yellow Sunfish. Pumpkin Seed. 



(Eupomotis gibbosus.) 



Body much compressed, nearly ovate, its depth one-half the total 

 length without caudal ; caudal peduncle short and compressed. Head 

 moderately large, one-third of the total length without caudal. Snout short 

 and depressed, the interorbital space nearly flat. Mouth small and oblique, 

 the maxilla not much expanded behind and reaching to below front of 



