BASS AND SEA-PERCHES. 
339 
States and Canada. Fossil species occur in the middle Eocene of Italy. Generally 
not exceeding a foot or 18 inches in length, the common species may grow to 
3 feet; but its flesh is then much less delicate than that of ordinary specimens. 
Bass frequent the coast in shoals, spawning in summer generally near the mouths 
of rivers, up which they not unfrequently ascend for considerable distances. 
COMMON BASS, SEA-PERCH, AND STONE-BASS (g liat. size). 
In the other genera of the subfamily the dorsal fin is undivided, 
Sea Perch, although it may be deeply notched; the number of its spines being 
generally nine or eleven, although there may be either eight, ten, or twelve. 
Under the common title of sea-perches may be included the members of several 
allied genera, such as Centvopristes and Anthicts, although the name is often 
restricted to those of the typical genus Serranus, one of which (S. scriba) is 
represented in the middle figure of the above illustration. In the sea-perches the 
body is oblong or compressed, and covered with small ctenoid or cycloid scales , 
there are large tusks among the villiform teeth of the jaws; and teeth are also 
