52 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



Micropterus dolomieu as " Vol. IV. p. 325." I noticed 

 further that all references to the figure of Lac6pede's Mi- 

 cropterus dolomieu were given as " Vol. IV, pi. 3, fig. 3," 

 and that of Labrus salmoides as "Vol. IV, pi. 5, fig. 2." 

 I was at once struck with this discrepancy, for if Cuvier 

 and Valenciennes' reference of Labrus salmoides Lacepfede 

 (Vol. IV. p. 716. 717) was correct, it would give the pri- 

 ority of description to Micropterus dolomieu Lacepede 

 (Vol. IV. p. 325). The numerical sequence of the plates 

 also gave it priority. 



While revising this chapter of the present book for the 

 press, I learned from Professor Jordan that he had just 

 received from France, a copy of Lacepede's original edition 

 of his great work. I at once wrote to him to ascertain 

 which reference to Labrus salmoides was the correct one. 

 His characteristic reply was: 



"In answering your questions I have struck a mare's 

 nest; M. dolomieu, Vol. IV, 325, 1802; L. salmoides, Vol. 

 IV, 716, 1802; the latter being in a supplement, which, in 

 some of the reprints, is restored to its proper place in the 

 genus Labrus in Vol. III. From this you will see that 

 dolomieu has priority over salmoides. I still believe that 

 salmoides was intended for the large-mouthed Bass, but 

 don't know that I can prove it." 



Thus, after the lapse of four-fifths of a century, the 

 small-mouthed Black Bass has recovered the name to which 

 it is clearly entitled, Micropterus dolomieu; truth and 

 justice have prevailed; Lacepede and his illustrious friend 

 Dolomieu have been vindicated. 



And now let us inquire as to Labrus salmoides.* This, 



Certain it is, however, that Lace'pSde's Ichthyology will always be a 



