12 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS, 



The caudal is slightly convex at its centre, and its upper portion projects beyond the 

 lower. It is scaled quite high upon its rays, which are bifid and articulated. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 10 - 11. P. 17 or 18, V. 1 - 5. A. 3 - 7. C, 

 17 or 18. Length about one foot. 



Remarks. This species, which is known among our fishermen as the '^ Black Bass ^' 

 and '' Black Fish," is taken in large numbers in the months of May, June, and July at 

 Holmes's Hole, and carried to the New York market, where it is considered one of the 

 most valuable fishes, and meets with a ready sale. While visiting Gay-Head in August, 

 1846, I learned that this species had become much less abundant there than formerly. 

 Thirty years since, it was not an uncommon circumstance for sixty sail of vessels to be 

 fishing about Gay-FIead at a time. And even fifteen years ago, this species was quite 

 numerous ; but several years since it disappeared almost entirely. They arc beginning 

 to reappear again within the last two or three years, but are quite small. They are 

 taken about ledges in deep water, and weigh from five to eight pounds. They seldom 

 wander into Massachusetts Bay ; the few that are met with in Boston market are 

 brought from New Bedford. July 1st, 1846, a specimen was taken at Nahant. 



Massachusetts, Storer. New York to Florida, Dekay. 



This is evidently MitchilFs Pe7xa varia, and I have therefore retained his specific 



name. 



GENUS IV. POMOTIS, Cuv. 



A few denticulations, more or less obvious, on the borders of the preoperculum. 

 Palatines and tongue smooth, and without teeth. Minute teeth on the jaws, vomer, 

 and pharyngeals. Branchial rays, six. A membranous elongation at the angle of the 

 operculum. 



PoMOTlS VULGARIS, CuV. 



The Bream. 



(Plate HI. Fig. 1.) 



Le Pomotis Commun^ Pomotis vulgaris^ Cuv. et Vai^., in. p. 91, pi. 49, et vii, p. 465. 

 Pomotis vulgaris, R^gne Animal, ed, Vax.., pi. 10, fig. 3. 



Korthern Pomotis^ Rich., Fauna Boreal. Americ, in. p. 24, pi. 76. 



Jakdine, Nat. Lib., i. p. 162, 



Fresh-water Sun-fish^ Pond Perchj Bream, Storee, Report, p. 11. 



Ayees, Best. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 258. 



Sun-fish^ Roachi Kietlano, Report on Zool. of Ohio, p. 191. 



Harlequin Roack^ Kirtland, Bost. Journ, Nat. Hist.; iii. p. 470, pi. 28, fig. 2. 



Thompson, History of Vermont, p. 130. 



Common Pond-fisk, Bjekay, Report, p. 31, pi. 51, fig. 166. 



LiNSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. 



Storer, Mem. Amer. Acad , New Series, ir. p. 292. 



Stor£R, Synopsis, p. 40. 



Agassiz; Lake Superior, p. 293. 



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