FAMILY PERCID.E SERRANUS. 21 



Color. Olive brown, with from five to seven oblong quadrate black spots on the back along 

 each side of the dorsal fin. Another series of spots, similar in shape, size and color, along 

 the lateral line, and varying in number from seven to nine on each side. A short vertical 

 black line from the eye, directed obliquely forward, and a similar black dash extending from 

 the eye to the nose. Fins transparent ; the rays spotted with light brownish, forming narrow 

 bars. Pupil black ; irides brown. 



Length, 2-5. Depth, 0-4. 



Fin rays, D. 9.14; P. 13; V. 1.5; A. 10; C. 17 f. 



This singular and beautiful little fish does not appear to have been hitherto described. It 

 is usually seen at the bottom of clear springs or streams, lying for a while perfectly still near 

 the bottom, and then suddenly darts off with great velocity at its prey. This habit has ac- 

 quired for it the popular name of Darter. Another name, Grand-orancliee, is given to it in 

 this State by the descendants of the Dutch colonists, but of its meaning I have obtained no 

 satisfactory explanation. It occurs in most of the fresh-water streams of the State. 



I find among the Percidm, no genus with which this can be satisfactorily arranged, nor 

 indeed is there any combining the characters of two dorsals with six branchial rays. Ethe- 

 ostoma, a loosely constructed genus, which is cited by Kirtland (Boston Journal, Vol. 3, p. 

 347), approaches it in the form of its head, but its opercles are said not to be scaly. 



GENUS SERRANUS. Cuvier. 



With a single dorsal. Canine teeth iningled with others. Preopercle minutely denticulate. 

 Opercle with one or two spines ; generalhj with scales on the jaws. 



Obs. This genus, established by Cuvier, embraces at present about one hundred and ten 

 marine species. The preopercle, in many species, becomes so minutelj^ denticulate as to 

 appear entirely smooth. The jaws also present remarkable varieties ; some species having 

 them covered with large scales, whilst in others they are scarcely visible. This and all the 

 succeeding genera of the family Percidae have a single dorsal fin. 



THE GROPER. 



Serranus erythrogaster. 

 plate xix. fig. 52. 



Characteristics. Olive brown above ; beneath red. Dorsal and caudal, ventral and anal fins 

 bordered with blue, and edged with' dusky. Length two feet. 



Description. Body oblong, subcompressed, deepest at the origin of the dorsal fin, thence 

 tapering gradually to the tail. Height, to its length, as one to three and a half. Body 

 covered with small quadrate oblong rough scales, ciliated on the margin with about eight 



