354 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



named it arctifrons, meaning " contracted fore- 

 head," owing to the narrow forehead. It has a 

 more extended range in the Gulf of Mexico than 

 the other porgies, being common in grassy situa- 

 tions from Pensacola to Key West ; it is not 

 known from the West Indies. 



The general outline of the grass porgy is very 

 similar to that of the saucer-eye and little-head 

 porgies, though the back is not quite so elevated ; 

 the profile is unevenly curved, being quite convex 

 in front of the eye. The mouth is slightly larger 

 than in the saucer-eye. Its color is olivaceous, 

 with dark spots, and several dark vertical bars 

 across the body ; many of the scales have pearly 

 spots; there are several yellow spots along the 

 lateral line ; the cheeks are brownish, with yellow 

 shades; the upper fins are barred or spotted; 

 the lower fins are paler. 



It is the smallest of the porgies, but one of 

 the prettiest. It grows to six or eight inches in 

 length. It is mentioned incidentally with the 

 others of its family in order that it may be known 

 to anglers who are so fortunate as to catch it 

 and admire it. The same tackle and bait 

 employed for the others are suitable. It is found 

 usually in grassy situations. 



