250 Field and Forest Rambles. 



datory species, and perhaps with a certain degree of truth ; 

 still I found a specimen of the Two-SPINED STICKLEBACK in 

 the stomach of the soft-mouthed SILVERY Dace (L. chryso- 

 leucas) ; rather remarkable, seeing that the former is distin- 

 guished for the very stout and large size of its armature. The 

 percoids of the New Brunswick waters require careful study ; 

 indeed, from specimens and reports of fishermen, I am much 

 inclined to believe that there are undescribed species. For 

 example, in one of the inland lakes there is a perch captured 

 in midsummer, and again through the ice in midwinter, so 

 very distinct from the white species, with which it has hitherto 

 been confounded, that I do not hesitate to consider it either 

 new to science, or else that imperfectly described species 

 named by Dekay * the White Lake Bass of Lake Erie (L. 

 albidus). 



The two specimens I examined were caught in Lake 

 Oromocto, one of the head-waters of the Magaguadavic River, 

 by my friend Colonel Anderson, of the New Brunswick Militia. 

 These, compared with Merone Americana, showed the fol- 

 lowing peculiarities. The former has the back more arched 

 anterior to the dorsal fin, with a hollow at the nape, and a more 

 produced snout. The spines of the opercle differ also ; and 

 the lateral line, which is concurrent with the back in the white 

 perch, is straight in this bass. These points are very apparent 

 when specimens of the two are placed side by side ; moreover, 

 in the fish in question we find the scales advancing to the 

 tips of the fins, besides disparities in the relative length of the 

 rays, as well as in the size and colouring of their bodies. 

 These and probably other important details I have not ob- 

 served seem to establish a specific character for this perch, two 

 specimens of which were twelve and fifteen inches in length. 

 The settlers about the lake say it is plentiful, and individuals 

 are often captured weighing two pounds. Its flesh is firm, 

 and better flavoured than that of either the yellow or white 

 * " Natural History of New York/' vol. iii., p. 13- 



