170 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



the same appearance while a fish was depositing its spawn 

 in a vessel kept in a room. The number of eggs that are 

 sometimes found in an ordinary-sized perch, is said to 

 amount to nearly a million. The principal food is insects, 

 worms, and small fishes. It is very tenacious of life, and 

 will live several hours after it has been taken from the 

 water. As an article of food it is very wholesome if in 

 season, when the flesh is white, firm, and well -flavoured. 

 It is out of condition in April, May, and June. 



Genus LABRAX. — Dorsal fins two ; scaly operculum 

 terminating behind in two spines ; body covered with hard 

 scales ; tongue rough with teeth ; preoperculum toothed. 



Labrax lupus.* — The Bass. 



Specific Characters. — Operculum with a dusky spot; ventrals 

 whitish. 



Description. — From a specimen fifteen inches in length. Body 

 more elongated than that of the perch ; colour of the back dusky 

 grey ; sides rather lighter ; belly silvery- white ; gill-covers tinged 

 with yellow ; operculum with a large dark spot on its upper and 

 posterior border ; dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins dusky ; ventrals 

 whitish. First dorsal fin commencing over the middle of the pecto- 

 rals, and ending in a line a little anterior to the vent ; all the spines 

 stout, taking a slight curve backwards ; the first and last ray of 

 equal length ; the third, fourth, and fifth, the longest. Second dor- 

 sal fin commencing immediately behind the termination of the first ; 

 all the rays soft and flexible, except the first, which is sharp and 

 spiny ; the anterior rays longer than the terminating ones. Anal fin 

 a little smaller than the second dorsal, and placed rather [nearer the tail. 

 Ventral fins commencing behind the origin of the pectorals. Tail lu- 

 nated when expanded, twice and a half the length of the middle ray. 

 Scales rather large and hard; ciliated at their free margins ; suboper- 

 culum without serratures; preoperculum notched below, and serrated 

 on its posterior edge ; operculum ending in two points directed 

 backwards ; body, cheeks, operculum, and preoperculum, covered 



* Labrax lupus, Cuv., Yar. Perca labrax, Lin., Pen., Flem., Don. 

 Bass, Sea Perch. 



