438 
VERTEBEATA. 
THE EUFFE. 
THE EUEOPEAX BASS. 
fourteen inches long ; is esteemed for the table ; frequents rapids and falls near mill-dams ; bites 
strongly at the hook, especially at evening. It is very abundant in the rivers and lakes from 
the Ohio northward to the Fur Countries. 
The Gray Pike-Perch, L.grisea, is smaller 
than the preceding; found in the same 
waters. The Canadian Sander, L. Cana- 
densis, is fourteen inches long, and found 
in the St. Lawrence. 
Genus ACERINA: Acerina. — To this 
belongs the Ruffe, or Pope, A. vulgaris, 
a European species, six to eight inches 
long, closely resembling the perch, and 
valued for its flesh. 
Genus LABRAX: Labrax. — To this 
belong the various species of Bass, some of which are among the greatest delicacies of the table. 
The Bass of Europe, L. lupus, some- 
times called Sea-Perch, and Sea-Dace 
in England, is one to three feet long, 
and has been celebrated from the time 
of Aristotle for its richness and flavor. 
It abounds in the Mediterranean, and 
also on the British coasts, where it is 
taken with trawl-nets, and also by an- 
gling at flood-tide with a long rod and 
strong line. 
The species of Bass in this country are 
numerous. The Striped Sea-Bass, L. lineatus, is from one to four feet long, brown above and 
silvery beneath. It is taken by nets, as well as the hook and line, and affords excellent sport. 
Our markets are Avell supplied with it throughout the year. It is distributed along our coasts 
from Delaware to Massachusetts, and bears the diff'erent names of Rock-Fish and Bar-Fish. It 
ascends the rivers to breed in spring, and often takes refuge in them during the Avinter ; it 
is, however, chiefly caught between the beach and the outer bar that runs along tlie shore. 
They are bold, ravenous, and powerful fish, biting voraciously at almost every sort of bait ; 
soft-crab, clams, and small Crustacea are, hoAvever, generally preferred. They sometimes attain 
the weight of seventy pounds. The smaller fishes, however, are most esteemed for the table. 
There are several other American species of Bass. The Ruddy Bass, L. rufus, eight to ten 
inches long, is common in the markets of New York. Tlie Little White Bass, L. jmllidus, 
often called Salt- Water Perch, is five to six inches long. The Small Black Bass, Z. nigricans, is 
six to twelve inches long : and the White Lake-Bass, L. alhidus, ten to eighteen inches long. 
The latter is abundant in Lake Erie. 
The Black Huron or Black Bass, Huro nigricans, fifteen to twenty inches long, abounding 
in the waters of Western New York and in the St. Lawrence, is a fine species, giving great 
sport to the angler, and valued for the 
table. 
The Black Sea-Bass, Centropristes 
nigricans, is six to ten inches long, sa- 
vory, and delicate ; found on our coasts ; 
abundant near Martha's Vineyard. 
The Growler, Grystes salmoides, six 
to twenty-four inches long, is excellent 
food ; found along our sea-coasts. In 
South Carolina it is called Trout. 
Genus SERRANUS: Serranus. — 
THE DUSK.1" SEERANUS. 
