FISHES—PERCIDAE-AMBLOPLITES ^NEUS. 
9 
The dorsal fin extends to the entire dorsal region properly so called. The spinous portion 
is composed of ten rays, increasing slightly in height from the first to the last, which is 
shorter than the following soft articulated rays. The latter, thirteen in number, occupy the 
third of the base of the entire fin. The anal terminates almost evenly with the dorsal ; its soft 
portion, composed of twelve rays, resembles the dorsal in its general appearance. It is preceded 
by five spines, shorter than the soft rays, and diminishing in depth forwards. The anterior 
spiny ray of this fin is situated opposite the seventh dorsal spine. The caudal fin constitutes 
about the fifth of the total length ; it is posteriorly emarginated, with the extremity of its 
lobes rounded. The origin of the ventral fins is situated a little in advance of the origin of the 
dorsal and opposite the inferior edge of the base of the pectorals. Their extremities will extend 
to the vent when bent backwards alongside the abdomen, but not as far as the origin of the anal 
fin. The vent itself is situated somewhat anteriorly to the origin of the anal fin. The pectorals 
are broad and of medium size ; their extremities not extending quite as far posteriorly as those 
of the ventrals. 
Br. VI; VI. D X, 13 ; AY, 12 ; C 4, 1, 8, 7, 1, 3 ; Y I, 5 ; P 16. 
The lateral line is arched and almost parallel to the outline of the back. The scales are 
deeper than long on the dorsal and abdominal regions (figs. 2 and 4), and longer than deep in 
the lateral line (fig. 3). Their posterior margin is entire; radiating furrows exist upon the 
anterior section only. We observe twenty-two longitudinal series of scales upon the line of 
greatest depth: sixteen between the lateral line and the mesial line of the belly, and five above 
the lateral line, and a few irregular series along the base of the dorsal fin. The scales are 
considerably reduced in size on the nuchal and pectoral regions. Elongated and attenuated 
scales may likewise be observed along the articulated rays of both the dorsal and anal fins up to 
their first bifurcation. Upon the caudal fins they assume a still greater development. 
The upper regions are of a coppery brown, darkest upon the dorsal region, becoming lighter 
towards the sides, whilst the inferior regions are yellowish brown. A blackish spot at the base 
of each scale gives the appearance of longitudinal darker streaks. These spots, however, are 
sometimes very obsolete. A jet black patch may be seen towards the upper and posterior angle 
of the opercle. The fins are unicolor, partaking of the general hue of the region to which they 
belong. 
References to the figures .—Plate I, fig. 1 represents Amhloplites ceneus somewhat reduced in 
size. Fig. 2 is a scale from the dorsal region. Fig. 3, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 4, 
a scale from the abdominal region. 
The scales are magnified. 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue number. 
Corresponding No. 
of 
No. of specimens. 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence and how ob¬ 
tained. 
Original number. 
Nature of specimens. 
By whom col¬ 
lected. 
162 
. 
1 
Adt. 
Fort Snelling, Minn_ ___ 
1852 
Gov. Stevens__ _ _ _ 
Alcoholic. 
Dr.Geo.Suckley. 
