LQponLs (jdniKtni (Forbes). 



A very haiulsome fish of dark cohir. witli rows of orange-colored .-.[jots on llie sides; 

 aniony: the most nnished in appearance of all suntishes. 



hrotn I'ecatonica river at Kreeport, a creek near Warsaw, Round pond at liamillon, 

 middle course of the Illinois river, creeks near Lincoln, anil Biir Fox river in VVIiite county. 



Lepomix incgahtiix (Rafinesqne). — Long'-eared Snnfish. 



In this fish the opercular Hap is quite variable in size, beinp Va the length of the head 

 sometimes in large specimens. 



Common in clear streams southeastward of.the rejjion of Ponliac, which is the locality of 

 farthest northward occurrence. Not yet taken from the Illinois river or from streams west 

 of it. 



Lepinnis liumiri.^ ((Hvard).— Orang'e-spotted Snnfish. 



This fish ma\- be easily recognized by the silvery white or pale pink margin of the thin 

 flexible opercular flap; the palest c)f oiir suntishes. A consideral)le degree of sex dimor- 

 phism is exhil)ited by this species. Tlie males have orange-colored spots on the sides instead 

 of dark brown, as in tlie females; measurements of males and females by Mr. VV. E. Howard, 

 of Ottawa, 111., have shown also that in the former tlie piotile is steeper, with forehead con- 

 cave, and that the ventrals are longer, leaciiing past tlie vent. 



Found very g:enerally distributed in the State, except in the upper Rock river basin. Fox 

 river antl tributarie.s, and tlie DuPage, Desplaines, and Kankakee basins. Not common in the 

 sluggish portions of creeks. 



Lcpm/iw jmUidus (Mitchill). — Bine-g-ill. 



The most important of the suntishes as a food fish. The name blue-gill refers to the blue 

 color usually found on the lower poition of the cheeks. Form of the body orbicular, a black 

 spot usually present on the dorsal posteriorly. 



Generally distributed and quite common in the larger streams; apparently not found in 

 the upper portion of the Wabash basin; not very common southward. 



Eitpotiuilis }icn>.-< (JJaird & Girard). (31Sb) 



In appearance like the preceding, but with a blood-red margin on the opercular flap in 

 the male. 



Taken from two ponds near St. Francisville, and from a pond opposite Mt. Carmel; a 

 specimen also recorded from Onion creek, atTopeka, 111. 



Euixtinotis iiiblxisits (Linnanis), — Pumpkin-seed; Common Snnfish. (31'.>) 



Wavy blue lines on the cheeks and opercles; colors very bright, with much yellow; oper- 

 cular flap with red on the posterior margins. 



Abundant in the Illinois basin; especially so to the lakes of northeastern Illinois. Other- 

 wise widely distributed^ but not abundant. Not found in collections from the Wabash or its 

 tributaries. 



Microptcnix doloinieu Lacepede. — Small-mouth Bass; (Jreen Bass; lled-eye 

 Bass. 



The gamiest of Illinois fishes. Often confounded with the large- mouth ba.ss by the in- 

 experienced, although the separation on a basis of the finer scales in this species (.n rows on 

 cheek and 72 to 80 in the lateral line) is quite eas.\'. The young may be readily recognized by 

 the white margin of the caudal fin. 



Found in large clear streams. Not taken from the Wabash or Kaskaskia basins. Other- 

 wise generally distributed in favorable situations. 



MicropteruH salnolileK Lacepede. — Larg-e-naouth Bass; Black Bass; Green Bass. 



Scales on the cheeks in about 10 rows; 6.j to 70 in the lateral line. The young have a very 

 marked black stripe on the sides and around the snout. The stripe breaks up later into spots, 

 which gradually disappear with age, but usually noticeable until the third year, and some- 

 times later. 



Common throughi>ut the State in the sluggish portons of streams. 



Family Pkiuid.k (Tjik Pkkchks.) 



key to illinois genera of the family pekcid.e. 



a. Pseudobranchia well developed; branchiostegals 7; no anal papilla; mouth large, ter- 

 minal ; fishes growing to a weight of 1 lb. or more. 



b. Canine teeth on jaws and palatines; body cylindrical, elongate; ventrals sep:irated 



by a space e(|ual to width of base Stizostedion. 



bb No canine teeth, body oblong, slightly compressetl Pkkcw. 



aa. Pseudobranchia small or wanting; branchiostegals 6; anal papilla usually present; 

 small fishes, never exceeding 10 inches in length, usually much sn'aller. 



c. Lateral line ileveloped. at least anteriorilv. 



d. Body usuall\- almost cylindrical; nuchal region never much compressed; skull im- 



mediately liehind eyes, shaped in cross section. 



e. Breadth of cranium between eyes about equal to diameter of orbit; snout pig-like, 



projecting much beyond mouth Pekcmna. 



ee. Breadth of interorbital space less than diameter of eye. 



f. Body not extremely elongate and not hyaline. 



g. Mouth more or less obliiiue, terminal; head rather pointed; belly with enlarged 



scales or a naked strip. 



