CENTRARCHID^E. 85 



Genus : Micropterus. 

 Key to Species. 



A. Eleven rows of scales above lateral line, about 17 rows on cheek. — dolomieu. 



AA. Seven rows of scales above lateral line, about 10 rows on cheek. — salmoides. 



Micropterus dolomieu Lacepede. Smali,- mouthed Bi,4CK Bass. 



Head i]A. to 3^; depth 2% to 3^; eye 5 to 6%. D. X, 13 to 15; A. Ill, 

 10 to 12; scales 11-72 to 85-25 (Ohio specimens average about 75 in lateral 

 line). Body rather elongate in young, becoming deeper with age. Mouth 

 large, but smaller than in M. salmoides, the maxillary usually not extending 

 back of posterior edge of orbit. This species can always be distinguished at 

 once from M. salmoides by the smaller scales, there being 11 rows of scales 

 above the lateral line, while in salmoides there are but 7 rows. The color is 

 exceedingly variable, giving rise to a number of local names among sports- 

 men. The usual color is a dark green, with bronze or golden reflections, 

 sometimes almost black on the back; belly lighter. A lateral band never 

 present. Said to reach a length of 2 feet. 



Widely distributed over the state and common everywhere in 

 suitable localities. Dr. Jordan aptly says in regard to its habits, 

 ' ' as compared with M. salmoides it is a fish of the running waters, 

 having little liking for warm and grassy ponds, bayous or lakes." 

 It is found in nearly all streams, sometimes even ascending small, 

 spring-fed brooks. Recorded by all students of Ohio fishes from 

 Rafinesque and Le Sueur on down, and under a great variety of 

 names. I give the locality records of later investigators. Ham- 

 ilton County, " common in Little Miami river," Henshall, 1888 ; 

 Lorain County, ' ' common in the larger streams, not so often 

 seen in the lake as the next species," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee 

 river system, " common in all the streams, none from the lakes," 

 Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, generally abundant, William- 

 son and Osburn, 1897 ; Big Jelloway creek system, Knox County, 

 nearly all streams, abundant in some places, Parker, Williamson 

 and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at Waterloo, Ice creek at Iron- 

 ton, Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek, 

 Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, 

 North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 5 

 Mahoning river, K. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river at 

 Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Wil- 

 loughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon 

 creek at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



