48 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



and Valenciennes by its use to supersede the name of Le Sueur 

 (p. 55), and as a substitute for M. Dolomieu (vol. v, p. 5). 



"(4) The majority of the C. & V.'s specimens belonged to the 

 small-mouthed Bass. 



" (5) The figure was based on a large-mouth simply through acci- 

 dence of size and condition, not selected on account of exhibition 

 of characters. In the same way, we might maintain that the type 

 of Pomotis vulgaris 0. & V. (although the description plainly points 

 to Eupomotis aureus) was Lepomis pallidus [rather auritus^\ } for the 

 figure apparently represents such." 



3. MICROPTERUS VARIABILIS Vaillant & Bocourt. 



Cichla variabilis Le Sueur, MSS. 



Micropterus variabilis Vaillant & Bocourt, MSS., Mission Scientifique au 

 Mexique. 



This is the ordinary Northern small-mouthed Black Bass, Micro- 

 pterus achigan, or var. achigan of authors, Micropterus salmoides achigan 

 of the present writer. 



The conclusions of Professor Gill at the close of the 

 paper just quoted, are based, apparently, on his faith in 

 Cuvier and Valenciennes, superinduced, perhaps, by a 

 reluctance to re-open the question, and a desire to retain 

 our present nomenclature of the Black Bass species, 

 for the sake of peace and harmony. If Dr. Gill's 

 conclusions could be sustained, and our nomenclature of 

 the species become universally adopted, no one would be 

 more gratified than the writer ; but we can not expect 

 peace or security until the matter is definitely, positively, 

 and indisputably settled, or, at least, so far as this can be 

 done, consistently, with the facts. 



After a careful reading of the foregoing review, it would 

 seem that the estimate of the Black Bass species, as enter- 

 tained by Dr. Vaiilant, should have great weight, and 

 meet with profound consideration; and it might be ques- 



