200 AMERICAN FISHES. 



ACANTUOPTKRYGII. PKRCID.E 



j,SuSJ. 



THE COMMON POND FISH. 



FRESH WATER SUN FISH. 

 Pomotis Vulgaris. — Cuvier. 



This beautiful little fish has gained its provincial name from the 

 txtreme brilliancy of its colors when disporting itself in the sunshine 

 The numerous spots on its body have procured for it the absurd name 

 of Pumpkin-seed in many States, and in IVIassachusetts it is known as 

 Bream. It is valueless as an article of food, and equally so as a bait 

 fish, its acute spines deterring any fish from seizina; it. It is, however, 

 a constant object of pursuit to boy and lady anglcis. 



It has very many varieties, and a wide geographical range, being 

 found from Lake Huron, through all the Eastern States, and along the 

 Atlantic coast so far south as Carolina. 



Its color is greenish olive above, with irregular points of red and 

 broader yellow or reddish brown spots disposed in very irregular lines 

 Ran<Tes of brighter spots on the bluish operculum, and on the hinder 

 prolongation of the operculum a black spot with a bright scarlet margin. 



Its body is much compressed, very broad, oval. Scales large and 

 even. Forehead sloping to the snout. Lateral line concurrent with 



