132 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



operculum, and (3) one radiating slightly upward from posterior 

 margin of orbit to operculum. Apex of operculum with large 

 dark spot, upper fins dusky, lower yellowish-white. 



" The stripes on the body frequently continue until the fish is 

 well grown, though gradually becoming obsolete ; black spots 

 upon the scales remain more or less permanently,, giving the 

 appearance, in old fish, of fine lines or stripes. (Color fide J. 

 W. Milner, MSS.) " (GiLL, Pro. Am, Asso. Adv. Sci. XXII, 

 B. 71, 1873.) 



MICROPTERUS PALLIDUS Jordan, 1877. " Rafinesque's de- 

 scription of his Lepomis pallida seems to have been drawn from 

 this species. His specific name should therefore be adopted. 

 This change is especially desirable, as it does away with the ob- 

 jectionable local name floridanus for this widely distributed 

 species." (JORDAN, Bull U. S. Nat. Mus. X, 43, 1877.) 



MICROPTERUS PALLIDUS Jordan, 1878. "Dull olive green, 

 more or less spotted when young, but not barred ; usually with 

 an irregular dark lateral band, and three oblique stripes on 

 opercules; ends of caudal fin blackish, these markings growing 

 obscure with age ; third dorsal spine twice as high as first; notch 

 between spines and soft rays deep ; eight rows of scales between 

 lateral line and dorsal; anal fin somewhat scaly; mouth very 

 wide; D. X, 12; A. Ill, 10; lat. 1. 65 to 70. Great lakes and 

 rivers of the West and South, abundant in most regions, and 

 highly valued as a food fish." ( JORDAN, Manual Vertebrates, E. 

 U. S. 2d ed. 236, 1878.) 



MICROPTERUS PALLIDUS Goode & Bean, 1879. "According 

 to Mr. Stearns this species enters the brackish and salt waters 

 of the Gulf of Mexico, whence he sends a specimen, No. 21,311, 

 12 inches in length. D. IX, I, 13 ; A. Ill, 10; P. II, 12; V. 

 I, 5; C.-f 17+. L. lat. 65; L. trans. ^." (GooDE & BEAN, 

 Pro. U. S, Nat. Mus. 138, 1879.) 



