FISHES OF PENNSYLVANIA. 103 

by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and has become acclimatized 
there. ‘Two very fine examples were obtained at Port Deposit in 1890. 
In October, 1877, one hundred and thirty of these fish, weighing from 
three-fourths to one pound, were obtained at Licking reservoir, about 
ten miles from Newark, Ohio, and carried in cans and planted in the 
Susquehanna at Harrisburg. In 1878 one thousand seven hundred and 
twelve calico bass were brought from Ohio and deposited at Hollidays- 
burg, in the Monongahela at Pittsburgh, the Lehigh and he Susque- 
hanna at Harrisburg. The report for 1878 contains mention of the cap- 
ture of this species thirty miles above Harrisburg at the Clark’s Ferry 
dam. 
This bass grows to a length of about one foot and a maximum weight 
of nearly three pounds, but the average weight is about one pound. It 
spawns in the spring and the close season in some states extends to 
June 1. Gravid females were caught near Havre de Grace, Md., in 
May. These were taken in the Susquehanna and Tidewatar canal where 
the species is becoming rather abundant. The food of the calico bass 
consists of worms, small crustaceans and fishes. Although a native of 
deep sluggish waters of western rivers and lakes, it readily adapts 
itself to cold and rapid streams, and thrives even in small brooks. The 
species is suitable also for pond life, and may be kept in small areas of 
water provided they have sufficient depth. It doesnot prey upon other 
fishes, and its numerous stiff spines protect it from larger predaceous 
species. It swims in large schools and is often found in comparatively 
shoal water. The nest building habits have been described by Duclos 
from observations made at Versailles, France. This writer, unfortu- 
nately, had under observation both the calico bass and the common 
sunfish and his statements need confirmation. The game qualities of 
this bass are noteworthy. It is a vigorous and free biter, and its en- 
durance is rather remarkable considering its size. Asa food fish this 
species 18 highly prized, and its increase in rivers of Pennsylvania is 
greatly to be desired. 
117. Pomoxys annularis Rartnesque. 
The Crappie. (Figure 59.) 
In the crappie the depth of the body is two-fifths of the total length not including 
the tail. The length of the head is one-third of the total; the mouth is oblique and 
larger than in the calico bass. The eye is about equal to the snout and nearly one- 
fourth the length of the head. The upper jaw nearly one-half length of head: the 
maxilla reaches slightly beyond the middle of the eye. The longest rays of the 
dorsal and anal are about one-half as long as head. The pectoral is longer than the 
ventral and reaches to above the origin of the anal. The ventral when laid back 
reaches to the vent. 
DS Wels Gs AS Vel lion Seales~7, 45,13: 
There is considerable variation in the the number of spines and rays in the dorsal 
and anal fins. 
Color clear silvery olive, the sides mottled with dark greenish blotches. On the 
