130 APPENDIX. 



Genus Labrax. — Bands of teeth on the tonp^ue ; the dorsals distinct : 

 cpercle with two spines. 



Obs. — This genus embraces ubout seven species, foremost among 

 which is the noble striped bass or rockfish (L. lineatus), a salt water spe- 

 cies, ascending fresh water streams to breed during the spring, and for 

 shelter during winter. The other species are smaller, and are usually 

 called perches. 



Genus Lucioperca. — This embraces the L. Americana, or pike-perch, 

 glass eye, yelloiv pike, lake pike, Ohio salmon and pickerel ; for all these 

 names are given to the same fish. It occurs in the streams of the mid- 

 dle and western States, and in the great lakes ; is well flavored, and 

 affords much sport to the angler. It attains sometimes the length of 

 three feet. 



Genus Centropristes. — To this genus belongs the C nigricans, or 

 sea bass, sometimes called the black bass, black Jish and blue Jish. A 

 very savory article of food. 



The other Genera of this family are cenfrarchus and pomoiis, embrac- 

 ing several species of rock bass and pond Jish, which take the hook 

 readily. 



Family Scienid.e. — Many of the characters of the preceding family, 

 but without teeth on the vomer or palatines ; scales on the base of 

 the vertical fins ; dorsal fins one or two ; head not mailed ; teeth 

 various. 



Genus Leiostomus (L. obliquus.) — The chub or Lafayette fish, a ma- 

 rine species occasionally appearing in great numbers on the northern 

 coast, but at irregular intervals ; takes the hook freely, and atibrds good 

 sport. 



Genus Otolithus (O regalis.) — The weak fish of the northern States, 

 and improperly named trout at the south ; takes the hook, and is highly 

 esteemed ; sometimes attains the weight of thirty pounds. 



Genus Umbrina {U. nebulosa.) — King fish. The finest flavored of all 

 our marine species. Its trivial name was given to it by the early Eng- 

 lish colonists. It bites firmly at the hook, and is most common during 

 the heats of summer. The {U. alburnus) ichiting is a closely allied 

 southern species. 



Genus Pogonias. — This includes many species known under the 

 popular names of I'ed and young drum, grunter, drum fish, &lc. The 

 {P. chromis) big drum occasionally weighs from eighty to a hundred 

 pounds. 



Family Sparidje. — The opercular bones without spines or denticula- 

 tions : no teeth on the palate; scales large; jaws not protractile; bran- 

 chial rays not exceeding six. 



Genus Sargus. — Tlie highly prized sheep's-head (S. ovis) migrates 

 northwardly during the summer ; is a wary animal, and affords much 

 amusement to the sportsman. 



Genus Pagrus. — The porgee (P. argyrops) takes the hook readily, 

 and would be more esteemed were it less common. 



Family Scombrid^e. — Opercles smooth ; scales very small, smooth 

 and entire ; vertical fins without scales. This family embraces many 



