U S. P. R R. EXP AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



1. POMOXIS SPAKOIDES, Grd. 



SYN. Labrus sparoides, LACEP. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. Ill, 1819, pp. 432 & 479. 



Centrarckus sparoides, Cuv. & VAL. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. VII, 1831, 459. STORER, Synops. 1846, 38. 

 Centrarchus hexacanthus, HOLER. Ichth. of So. Car.; plate vi, fig. 1. 



The second species of this genus was first observed in the river Wahash by Lesueur, and by 

 him sent to Paris, under the name of Cantharus niyromaculatus. Therefore: 



2. POMOXIS NIGrKOMACULATUS, Grd. 



SYN. Cantharus nigromaculatus, Lesueur fide Cuv. & VAL. Hist. Nat. Poiss. Ill, 1829, 88. 

 Centrarchus sparoides, Cuv. & VAL Hist. Nat. des Poiss. Ill, 1829, 88.; pi. xlviii. 



Centrarchus hexacanlhws, Cuv. & VAL Hist. Nat. Poiss. VII, 1831, 459. KIRTL. Journ. Bost. Nat. Hist. Ill, 1840, 

 480.; pi. xxix, fig. 2. DEKAY, Fauna of New Y. IV, 1842, 31. AGASS. Amer. Jour, of 

 Sc. XVII, 1854,299. 

 Cichla storeria, KIRTL. Rep. Zool. Ohio, 191. 



A third species is described, or rather recorded, by Rafinesque, under the name of 



3. POMOXIS ANNUL AKIS, Kafin. 



SYN. Pomoxis annularis, RAFIN. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc Philad. I, 1818, 417 ; pi. xvii, fig. 1 ; & Ichth. Ohiens. 1820, 33. 

 AGASS. Arner. Jour. Sc. XVI, 1854, 298. 



We propose now to describe a fourth species, under the name of 



4. POMOXIS NITIDUS, Grd. 

 PLATE II, FIGS. 58. 



SPEC. CHAR. Posterior extremity of maxillary corresponding to a line intersecting the pupil. Insertion of ventrals situated 

 opposite the inferior edge of the base of the pectorals. Anterior spiny ray of anal fin under the fourth dorsal one. Posterior 

 margin of caudal fin sub-concave. Upper regions reddish, spotted and fasciated with brown ; inferior regions silver and golden. 



SYN. Pomoxis nitidus, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. Nov. 1857. 



The largest specimens of this species which we have examined and caused to be figured 

 measure nearly six inches and a half. The body is very much compressed, arched above and 

 below, sub-elliptical in a profile view. Its greatest depth, which corresponds to the origin of 

 the dorsal fin, is about the third of the entire length, since it enters three times in the latter 

 from the tip of the snout to the emargination of the caudal fin. The greatest thickness is rather 

 less than the third of the depth just alluded to. 



The head is contained three times and a half in the total length of the fish. The mouth is deeply 

 cleft, obliquely directed upwards, the lower jaw being the longest, and the posterior extremity 

 of the maxillary reaches a vertical line drawn through the middle of the eye. The teeth are 

 velvet-like, the maxillary ones being scarcely more conspicuous than those on the vomer, pala 

 tines, and tongue. The eyes are quite large and sub-circular, their horizontal diameter entering 

 a little more than four times in the length of the side of the head. The margin of the opercular 

 bones are neither spiny nor crenated. The cheeks and opercle are scaly, the scales on the 

 cheeks being smaller than on the opercle. Thirteen branchiostegals (seven on the right side 

 and six on the left), may be observed within the branchial membrane. The branchial apertures 

 themselves are continuous under the throat. 



The origin of the dorsal fin is nearly equidistant between the extremity of the snout and the 

 base of the caudal fin. There are six spiny rays, increasing in height from the first to the last, 



