FAMILY PERCID^ CENTRARCHUS. 29 



pointed with a loose membrane. Lower jaw somewhat advanced, witli a single scries of 

 from eight to ten distant pores beneath. Both jaws armed with a broad patch of minute, 

 conic, acute, recurved teeth. An oblong patch of rasp-like teeth on the vomer, and a long 

 band of similar teeth on the palatines. A transverse membrane in the anterior part of both 

 jaws. A small patch of minute teeth on the centre of the tongue, which is free, and thin on 

 tlie margins. Branchial arches minutely toothed on the upper surface near the tongue, with 

 long, serrate, spinous processes above. Pharyngeal teeth in rounded patches. Branchial 

 rays six. 



Dorsal fin commences slightly behind the pectorals. The anterior portion consists of nine 

 stout spines, received into a sheath below ; the first is shorter than the second, which again 

 is not so long as the third, and this latter is subequal with the remainder. A small and not 

 very evident depression separates it from the other portion, which consists of one spinous and 

 fourteen branched rays : it terminates above the end of the anal. This portion of the dorsal 

 fin is high, and somewhat rounded ; the second simply articulated, not branched, and the 

 three posterior rays successively shorter. The pectorals under the posterior angle of the 

 opercle, broad, and obtusely pointed. It contains eighteen rays, of which the fifth, si.xth 

 and seventh are longest. Ventral fins placed slightly behind the pectorals, and composed of 

 five robust branched rays. Anal fin higher than long, commencing under the third soft ray 

 ot the dorsal, and composed of three spinous and twelve articulated rays, of which latter, 

 the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh are longest ; the first spinous ray very short, the second 

 shghtly longer, and the third double the lengtli of the preceding. Caudal fin emarginate ; 

 tips rounded, and composed of sixteen 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. 16 |. 



This species is common in the great lakes, and in the numerous smaller ones in this State, 

 where it is generally known under the name of Black Bass. The species appears to diflfer 

 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. Tire specimen from which I had drawn up my description, was from Oneida 

 lake ; and until I had examined many others at Buffalo and Oswego, I supposed it to be 

 specifically distinct from Lesueur's species. It is very probable, nevertheless, that there are 

 several species yet to be detected, which pass under the general name of Black Bass. 



