100 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



spinous and 12 articulated rays, of which latter the 4, 5, 6, 7 

 are longest ; the first spinous ray very short, the second slightly 

 longer, and the third double the length of the preceding ; caudal 

 fin emarginate, tips rounded, and composed of 16 flat robust, 

 multifid and six accessory rays on each side; length 13.5; of 

 head, 4.0; greatest depth, 4.2; fin rays, D. 9.1,14; P. 18; V. 5; 

 A. 3, 12; C. 16f 



This species is common in the great lakes and in the numer- 

 ous smaller ones in this state, where it is generally known under 

 the name of Black Bass. This species appears to differ very 

 much in different localities, not only in color but in form, and 

 according to Dr. Kirtland, the same individual will change its 

 color repeatedly in a short space of time if confined in a vessel of 

 water." (DsKAY, Fishes N. Y. 28, 1842.) 



CENTRARCHUS OBSCURUS DeKay, 1842. " Body compressed, 

 regularly arched above, not gibbous, highest along the spinous 

 portion of the dorsal fin ; scales small, orbicular, concentrically 

 striate on their free surfaces, covering the head and body and 

 rising very slightly on the base of the dorsal ; lateral line tubular 

 above the upper margin of the opercle ; makes a curve down- 

 wards over the point of the opercle, then rises a little anterior 

 to the first spinous ray of the dorsal, and then becomes concur- 

 rent with the line of the back ; head moderately small, and some- 

 what pointed, sloping gradually to the nape, thence ascending more 

 rapidly to the dorsal ray; eyes very large; nostrils double, dis- 

 tant, the posterior largest; a small mucous pore below the an- 

 terior nostril ; lower jaw longest ; numerous fine teeth in both 

 jaws, very acute and recurved, forming many rows in front and 

 fewer on the sides of the jaw ; still more minute teeth on the 

 vomer and palatines; opercular bones scaly; the opercle with a 

 membranous margin, and terminating in a flat point, which is 

 occasionally double ; the dorsal fin arises behind the base of the 

 .pectorals, composed of 9 spinous and 13 simple rays; the first 

 spinous is shortest; the first of the soft portion simple, the re- 



