GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 257 



THE COMMON POND EISH. 



FRESH- WATER SUN FISH. 



Pomotis Vulrjaris — Cuvier. 



Fresh- water Sun Fish. 



This beautiful little fish has gained its provincial name from 

 the extreme brilliancy of its colours 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 

 Massachusetts 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 seizing it. It is, however, a constant 

 object of pursuit to boy and lady anglers. 



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 colour is greenish olive above, with irregular points of 

 red and broader yellow or reddish brown spots disposed in 

 very irregular lines. Ranges of brighter spots on the bluish 



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