FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 11 



POMOTIS. CuV. 



Generic characters. A single dorsal Jin : hranchiostegous 

 rays 6 ; small and crowded teeth : body compressed and oval : 

 a membranous prolongation at the angle of the operciiluTn. 



P. vulgaris. Cuv. Fresh water Sun Fish. Pond Perch. 



Shaw's Zoology, vol. iv. pt. 11, p. 482. 



Lit. et Philosoph. Trans. N. Y. i. p. 403. 



Mc Murtrie's Cuv. vol ii. p. 108. 



Cuv. et Valenc. His. Nat. des Poiss. t. iii. p. 91. 



Jardine's Naturalist's Library, vol. i. Ichthyology, p. 162. 



Fauna Boreali Americana, p. 24 et fig. 



This very common species in the numerous ponds of our 

 State is taken with the Perca Jiavescens — Leuciscus crysoleu- 

 cas — Esox reticulatus. &c., and is generally known by the 

 vulgar name of Bream. It rarely exceeds eight inches in 

 length. Though seldom brought to market, it is considered 

 by many, an excellent edible fish. In the Naturalist's Library, 

 it is said to be ''of unobtrusive colors," while, in truth, it is 

 one of our most beautiful species — vieing oftentimes in the 

 brilliancy of its coloring with tropical fishes. 



The specimen before me, measures seven inches in length : 

 length of head to outer angle of operculum nearly two inches : 

 depth of body, on a line with base of pectorals, three inches. 

 General color greenish brown with spots of blue and yellow 

 upon each scale : longitudinal, undulating deep blue lines 

 across preoperculum and operculum, with rusty yellow blotches 

 interspersed. Scales upon body, large — smallest at base of fins. 

 Head, between eyes, naked, and of a darker color than the 

 body generally. Nostrils double — anterior tubular : teeth in 

 jaws very minute and sharp : upper jaw protractile. Eyes 

 large, nearly half an inch in diameter. At posterior angle of 

 operculum, a large black spot embracing a portion of the oper- 

 culum^ and a fleshy prolongation having a bright scarlet col- 



