THE SUN-FISHES AND THEIR ALLIES. 
67 
not penetrate far into the interior. It seldom reaches a weight of much 
over a pound, but from its abundance becomes in the rivers of the South 
a food-fish of some importance. Like the others, it feeds on worms, 
Crustacea and small fishes, and spawns in early summer. 
The Blue Sun-fish, Lepomis pallidus , is also known as the “ Blue Bream ” 
and “Copper-nosed Bream,” and in Kentucky sometimes as the “ Dol- 
lardee.” This is the most widely distributed of our Sun-fishes, ranging 
from New Jersey and the Great Lakes to Florida and Mexico. It reaches 
a weight of one-and-one-half to two pounds, and, in some regions, is an 
important market fish. Its habits adapt it especially for cultivation 
in ponds. 
Many other species of similar size abound in the fresh waters of the 
Mississippi Valley, and are known as “Sun-fish.” “Bream ” and “Perch.” 
L. cyanellus and L. megalotis are universally abundant both North and 
South; the others are chiefly Southern. All take the hook readily, and 
are good pan-fish, but from their small size they have no economic im¬ 
portance, and are valued chiefly by urchins and negroes. 
The Warmouth, Chcenobryttus gulosus , is well-known throughout the 
South. The names “Perch,” “Sun-fish,” “ Goggle-eye ” and “ Red¬ 
eye ” it shares with others of its relatives. It is found in all the lowland 
streams from Virginia to Texas, and in all the Southern States, and is gener¬ 
ally abundant. In habits, food, size and value it agrees closely with the 
Rock Bass. 
The Black Warmouth, Chcenobjyttus antistius , a species also called “ War- 
mouth,” “Big-mouth,” “Sun-fish” and “ Goggle-eye,” abounds in the 
tributaries of the Upper Mississippi, and is often taken in Lake Michigan. 
In Illinois it is an important food-fish. In size, habits and value it is 
sufficiently similar to the Rock Bass. 
The Sacramento Perch, Archoplites interruptus , known only by the name 
of “ Perch,” a name applied in the San Francisco markets to many very 
different fishes. It has been thus far found only in the Sacramento and 
San Joaquin Rivers and tributaries. It is abundant in the lower parts of 
these rivers, large numbers being shipped to the market in San Francisco. 
It is there bought and consumed mainly by the Chinese, who value it 
highly, paying for it more than for any other fish which they consume. 
Although it is an excellent pan-fish, very similar to the black bass, we 
have never seen any of them bought by Americans. It reaches a weight 
