PERCOIDE.E. ( J 



organization. The common Basse of Europe (L. lupus) spawns in bays of the 

 sea, preferring those into which rivulets of fresh water flow ; but it occasionally 

 ascends rivers, and the lupi of the Tiber, taken between the two bridges, were in 

 vogue, at some periods, with the epicures of ancient Rome *. The Rock-fish, or 

 Striped Basse (L. lineatus) of New York, frequents the coasts of that state all the 

 year ; but, as Dr. Mitchill informs us, " the greatest run is in the fall. Instead of 

 going away on the approach of winter, the Striped Basse seeks refuge in bays, 

 ponds, and recesses, where he may remain warm and quiet. Here the fishermen 

 find him and make great hauls during the coldest season, when many are brought 

 to market in a frozen state." The dread of cold was ascribed, by the ancients, also 

 to the lupus, and Cuvier thinks that their opinion is founded on facts ; but I should 

 judge that the Striped Basse, at least, seeks quiet rather than warmth, by quitting 

 the sea in winter,, for in northern climates the temperature of the ocean exceeds 

 that of shallow bays or rivers in the winter-time. Had Dr. Mitchill observed that 

 the Basse resorted to the southern states in greater numbers, or launched out into 

 the Gulf-stream, in the cold season, we might have attributed its movements to a 

 love of a higher temperature ; but if its change of residence be not owing to its food 

 being more abundant in the bays and rivers at the periods of its resort to them, it 

 probably arises simply from the fact, that it prefers still-water to the turbulent 

 waves of the ocean, excited by frequent storms. Cuvier has stated the matter more 

 simply, and perhaps more correctly, in saying that this fish ascends rivers in the 

 spring to spawn, and in the winter for the sake of shelter. I do not know how 

 high up the St. Lawrence the Bar-fish goes, but the river ceases to be salt far 

 below Quebec, where the fish is taken. Many of the lupi are covered with brown 

 spots, and these were noticed by Cuvier to be females : it would be interesting to 

 know if the different sexes of the American Basses have peculiar markings. The 

 L. notatus derives it name from the resemblance of its spotting to musical cha- 

 racters. Lieutenant-Colonel Smith has obligingly furnished me with the following 

 note respecting it. 



" The Bar-fish of the Canadians at Quebec differs from Mitchill's Basse (L. lineatus, Cuv.), 

 in being much more robust, and in being marked with rows of spots, five above and five below 

 the lateral line, so regularly interrupted and transposed as to appear like ancient church- 

 music. The back is brilliant with iridescent green, gold, and pink colours : the sides silvery. 

 Head covered with strong scales. On the lateral line, which is quite straight, I reckoned 

 fifty-eight scales." 



" Fins.— D 9/ — 1/12 ; P. ? ; V. 1/6; A. 1/12; C. 17." (Smith in lit.) 



* Vide Hist, des Poiss., ii., p. 59. 



