202 
STONE BASS. 
prize, appears as -well from Oppian’s direct assertion, as Ms 
description of the fishermen’s proceedings, which involved no 
little skill and patience. He first made a vessel or chamber 
of -wicker-work with a large door, not unlike the larger 
lobster store-pot now employed to secure these crustaceous 
captives after they have been caught. These he baited with 
roasted crabs or cuttlefish, and placed it near the rocks fre- 
quented by these fishes, -with the door in the side left open. 
The fishes would gradually collect together, but he was in 
no haste to obtain them, and continued to furnish new bait 
as it became devoured by the fish; for his object was, not 
only to secure at one haul a large number, but by feeding 
to fatten them as much as possible. When everything had 
succeeded the door of the trap was closed, and the capture 
secured. 
The example described was eighteen inches long, and six 
deep, exclusive of the fins; body thick and stout. Head bony, 
a high ridge 'on the gill-covers; teeth in jaws and palate 
small, numerous; border of each plate of the gill-covers ser- 
rated; also a large bony serrated plate at the origin of the 
body, above the gill-covers. Scales firm, over the body. 
Dorsal fin long, expanded towards its termination, with eleven 
spinous and twelve soft rays; in the ventral six, the first a 
strong spine, with short spinous processes along its outward 
edge. Anal fin with twelve rays, of which the first three are 
spinous. Tail straight. 
