244 PERCIDiE. 



The first dorsal consists of nine spinous rays^ of which the 

 first and the last are shortest. A simple ray occurs between 

 this and the second dorsal, which consists of twelve branched 

 rays. The pectoral fins have sixteen rays; the ventrals, one 

 spinous and five soft rays ; the anal, three spinous and eleven 

 soft ; the caudal, which is broadly lunate in shape, has seven- 

 teen branded rays. 



The pupils are black, the irides silvery. 



Altogether it is one of the most beautiful, as well as the most 

 excellent and sporting of American Game Fish, the flesh being 

 very firm, white, and well-flavoured. 



There are two other species of Bass, the Lahrax Rufus, and 

 Labrax Pallidus, or Ruddy, and little White Bass, which are 

 better known, both to anglers and epicures, as the River Perch 

 of New York, and White Perch. They are both taken in the 

 brackish waters of tide rivers, and afi'ord fair sport to the 

 angler, as well as being a very delicate pan-fish. 



Dr. Dekay also enumerates another fish of this genus, as the 

 small Black Bass {Labrax Nigricans), which he describes as 

 being found in various ponds of Queen's and Sufi'olk counties, 

 Long Island, rarely attaining to two pounds in weight, being 

 esteemed very good eating, and rising freely to the fly. 



I have never myself seen this fish, but have great doubts 

 whether it is more than a casual variety of the Black Bass of 

 the St. Lawrence, the Centrarchus Fasciatus of Dekay, the Huro 

 Nigricans of Cuvier and Richardson, and more properly the 

 Grystes Nigricans of Agassiz ; for although this is improperly 



