SOUTHERN INLAND FISHES. 379 



almost as round as a plate, somewhat spotted, the spots even ex- 

 tending into the fins ; long- tinny mouth. They are found only in 

 clear ponds in tide-water districts, in deep water and on sandy 

 bottoms, and go in schools. They are sluggish biters, make but 

 feeble resistance when hooked, show ail the colors of the rainbow 

 in the sun when first taken out of the water. They rarely exceed 

 two and one-half pounds in weight ; an excellent fish to eat, with 

 white meat. 



The Black Perch, sometimes called "tobacco-box"; found in 

 ponds. 



Sun Perch, or Yellow-belly, found both in ponds and rivers, 

 and called " bream " in some localities. 



The White Perch (Morotie americana) a tide-water fish de- 

 scribed elsewhere at length ; and the White Bass. 



Sun-fish, — Rocciis chrysops (Pomotis vulgaris). Common 

 everywhere, and known to every. school-boy from Maine to Texas. 

 A very beautiful fish, olive brown back with a slight shade of 

 green, marked with irregular spots of reddish-brown ; sides and 

 belly yellow with brazen spots. Fins yellow. The opercle or gill 

 cover has a bright vermilion spot like sealing-wax on its edge. 

 Inhabits still, clear waters, regardless of temperature, spawns in 

 spring, fashions her nest in the sand or gravel, in shallow water 

 near the margin of ponds, and jealously guards it from every 

 intruder. It takes bait, and sometimes a fly or troll, though 

 seldom. It sometimes reaches a pound in weight, and is then 

 very good for the table. In Florida there is a variety of Pomotis 

 known as Centrarchus irideus, found in company with the above, 

 with same habits. Color greenish-yellow, darker on back. 



Striped Bass. — Rocctis lineatus. Identical with the striped bass 

 of the coast. It is found in many tributaries of the Mississippi, 

 and remains long in fresh water where it affords much sport to the 

 angler. 



ESOCID^. 



'PitL-K.—Esox hicius.—E. affinis. Holbrook. 



Body dusky on top ; sides reticulated with yellow and olive 

 brown, belly white. It abounds in all ponds and rivers of fresh 

 water, and has the habits common to its family. Holbrook claims 



