FISHES PERCIDAE POMOTIS FALLAX. 



27 



List of specimens. 



6. POMOTIS FALLAX, B. & G. 

 PLATE VIII, FIGS. 912 ; PLATE IX, FIGS. 512, & PLATE X, FIGS. 17. 



SPEC. CHAR. Body sub-circular or sub-elliptical. Head moderate ; snout bluntly sub-conical. Mouth large ; posterio r 

 extremity of maxillary extending to the anterior rim of the pupil. Eye moderate. Edge of preopercle not crenated. 

 Opercular flap very large. Spinous portion of dorsal fin of medium height ; its origin situated opposite the base of the 

 pectorals. Caudal emarginated posteriorly. Tips of ventrals extending to the anterior margin of the anal. Blackish or 

 reddish brown ; lighter beneath than above. Sides of head provided with bluish spots, sometimes confluent into irregular 

 lines. A black patch upon the base of the dorsal fin. 



SYN. Pomolis fallax, B. & G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad., VIII, 1854, 24. 



Pomotis convexifrons, B. & G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad., VII, 1854, 24. 



This is the most polymorphic species which we have so far met with amongst fresh water 

 fishes. We have caused it to be fully illustrated in order to give a correct idea of its most 

 prominent variations. The species which we had formerly enumerated under the name of P. con 

 vexifrons is one of these. 



A comparison of the figures on Plate X will show that the upper outline of the head and 

 body both are subject to very great variations, and that the dorsal fin itself participates in giving 

 to the region it belongs its diversified aspect. Again the snout is more or less protruding, 

 affecting considerably the physiognomy of the species, as well as the opercular flap, which, in 

 some specimens, reaches most abnormal proportions. (Fig. 5.) 



This species was first collected by the United States and Mexican boundary commission, 

 to whose Report we would refer our readers. 



References to the figures. Plate VIII, fig. 9, exhibits, size of life, an immature specimen of 

 Pomotis fallax, from Rio Seco, Texas. Fig. 10 is a dorsal scale. Fig. 11, a scale from the 

 lateral line. Fig. 12, a scale from the abdominal region. 



Plate IX, fig. 5, represents, size of life, Pomotis fallax, from Sans Bois creek, a tributary of 

 Canadian river. Fig. 6 is a dorsal scale. Fig. 7, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 8, a scale 

 from the abdominal region. 



Fig. 9, of the same Plate, exhibits an immature specimen, size of life, from Rio Medina, 

 Texas. Fig. 10, a dorsal scale. Fig. 11, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 12, a scale 

 from the abdominal region. 



Plate X, figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7 represent various outlines of the same species, all from a tribu 

 tary of Gypsum creek, itself an affluent of the Canadian river. Fig. 2 is a dorsal scale. Fig. 

 3, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 4, a scale from the abdominal region. 



