THE PERCH FAMILY. 81 



THE ROCKFISH, OK STRIPED BASS. 



Labrax Lineatus : Cuvier. 



The following description is taken from a fish of stout 

 proportions, weighing four pounds ; its length nineteen 

 inches, exclusive of its caudal, breadth five inches. 



Form elliptical, compressed ; length of head compared with 

 body, as 5 J to 19 ; tail slightly forked ; head opercle and 

 preopercle scaly ; two flat spines on the posterior margin of 

 the opercle, with a membrane between and extending beyond 

 them — the lower spine the longer. The eye is about one- 

 third of the distance between the tip of the snout and 

 posterior angle of opercle ; irides light yellow. Teeth on the 

 maxillaries and palatines, also on the sides of the tongue, 

 which is soft, and on the arches of the gills ; the lower jaw 

 is the longer. 



Color ; bluish green on the back, shading gradually lighter 

 to the lateral line, which commences above the superior spine 

 of the opercle, curves slightly upwards for a short distance, 

 and is thence straight to the centre of the caudal ; belly 

 white. There are eight dusky stripes, the four above the 

 lateral line extending to the tail. The lower margin of the 

 preopercle and the chin are roseate white ; caudal and dorsals 

 dusky lead color ; pectorals roseate at the roots and greenish 

 yellow on the rays ; ventrals roseate white in front, shading 

 to a light lead color posteriorly. Scales on the roots of the 

 caudal fin. 

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