USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 24
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Rays, B. 7, P. 0, V. 115, D. [3]: 1|14, A. 2|7, C. 17. *
Thisrony .- The Yellow Perch is one of the most common fishes found in lake Champlain, and in the mouths of the riv- ers falling into this lake. They are taken both with the seine and hook, but chietly with the latter. In the winter they are caught by cutting holes in the ice. They vary from 8 to 12 and even 14 inches in length, and are carried round for sale from house to house in the villages along the lake, at all seasons of the year, neatly scaled and dressed ready for cooking. In this condition they are sold at from 10 to 20 cents a dozen, according to the season and their abundance. The flesh of the Perch is white, firm and agreeable to the palate, but is rather dry and bony.
This fish agrees throughout with Dr. Mitchell's description of his Bodianus flacescens, and is undoubtedly the species from which his description was drawn. Cuvier, having obtained specimens of this and another species which very closely resemble it, from the waters of the United States, gave to this species the name of P. serrato-granulata, on account of its serrated and grannlated gill covers ; to the other, distinguished from this by the want of granulations, by its smaller size and greater number of brown bands upon its sides, he gave the name of P. flaucs- cens.
GENUS LUCIO- PERCA .- Curicr.
Generic Characters .- In the form of the body and situation of the fins like a Perch ; head more like a Pike ; edge of the pre - sperculum with one simple emargination ; some of the maxillary and palatine teeth long and painted.
* The letters indicate the Gins, and the figures the number of ray4 in cach ; B. Branchial rays ; P. Pertoral ; V. Vential; D. Dorsal; A. Anal, and C. Caudal,
130
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I
THE PIKE-PERCH.
THE SUN FISH.
' AMERICAN PIKE-PERCII.
Lucio-Perca americana .- CUVIER.
Cuv. et Vat Hist. Nat. des Poiss. III. p. 122, pl. 16. Fauna Boreali Americana, Fishes, p. 10.
DESCRIPTION .- Body tapering and cyl- Indrical towards the tail; color nearly black above, sides brown and orange, bel- ly yellowish or bluish white, tail and fins spotted with black on a yellow ground, but varying much in different individ- vals; head depressed ; eyes large, pupil transparent, iris yellow ; lower jaw longer than the opper ; two rows of teeth in the upper jaw and one in the lower; teeth hooking inward and many of them long ; opereulum terminated by a membranous point, preopereulum serrated and spinous at the angle ; a bony plate over the pec- toral fiu ; rays of the first dorsal fin spi- nous.
Rays, Br. 7, P. 13, V. 6, D. 14-21, A. 14, C. 17.
HISTORY -The usual length of this fish is from fourteen to twenty inches, and its weight from one to four pounds. It is ta- ken very plentifully from the waters of lake Champlain and its tributaries. It is a firm, bony fish, but as the bones are large and easily separated from the flesh, they are much less troublesome than in the Perch, aud some other species. Its flesh is well flavored, though not so juicy and rich as that of our White Fish and some few others. In the form of its body and the situation of its fins, it closely Te- sembles the Perches, but its head and teeth are more like the Pikes, and hence its name, Lucio-Perca, or Pike-Perch. This fish is called by Dr. Williams, in his Ilis- tory of Vermont, the White Perch, but is generally known in Vermont simply by the name of Pike, while the fish usually called Pike in other places is here called Pickerel. This fish, on the contrary, is called Pickerel in Canada. We have an- other species of this genus, probably the L. canadensis, but I am unable to say so positively at present.
GENUS POMOTIS - Curier.
Generic Characters .- A single dorsal fin ; & gill rays on each side ; teeth small and crowd- [ food.
ed ; body compressed and oval; a membranous prolongation at the angle of the operculum.
SUN FISH, OR POND PERCH.
Pomotis vulgaris .- CUVIER.
Shaw's Zoology, IV-4>2. Lit. and Phil Trans, N. Y., 1 -103 Fauna Borcali Americana, p. 23. Sto- rer's Report, p. 11.
DESCRIPTION .- Color brownish green above ; below yellow ; sides bluish, spot- ted with brownish, umber, and dark pur- ple ; sides of the head striped longitudi- nally with undulating deep blue lines, with umber spots ; a large black spot, edged with silvery above and below, on the posterior angle of the operculum and its skinny prolongation, terminating back- ward in bright scarlet ; all the fins brown- ish, portions of the dorsal and caudal spot- ted finely with black ; head between the eyes smooth, dark green, with 3 pores, or pits, the lines connecting which form very nearly an equi-lateral triangle ; tecth mi- nute and sharp in both jaws ; upper jaw protractile ; under jaw longest ; mouth small ; nostrils double, with a pore, mak- ing it appear triple ; eyes large and round ; back regularly curved from the nape to the posterior of the dorsal fin ; lateral line parallel to the curve of the back. Depth of the body to the total length of the fish, as 1 to 3, nearly ; commencement of the anal fin cqui-distant from the two ex- tremities; usual length abont 5 inches.
Rays Br. 6, P. 13, V. 115, D. 9|12, A. 3/10, C. 17.
HISTORY .- This is a very common fish in the coves along the margin of lake Champlain, and about the mouths of our rivers. Though extensively known by the name of Sun Fish, and Pond Perch, it is, perhaps, more generally known by the name of Pumpkin Seed. It is also some- times called Bream. This fish, though said in Jardine's Naturalists' Library to be of unobtrusive colors, is one of the highest colored and most beautiful fishes found in our waters-'oftentimes vieing in brilliancy with the tropical fishes.' The Sun Fish, though offen taken with other fishes in the seine, is more common- ly taken with the hook, at which it bites with avidity. Its flesh is white and pal- atable, but the fish being small, thin, and bony, is little sought as an article of
131
FISHES OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 5.
THE BIG-EARED SUN FISH.
THE ROCK BASS.
THE BLACK BASS.
THE BIG-EARED SUN FISU.
Pomotis megalotis .- RAFINESQUE. Ietsche megalotis, Ichthyologia Chiensis, p. 29.
Discmirrios .- Color brownish olive el wr, head darker ; sides approaching to chestnut ; belly coppery, or ruddy white; udes of the head and body with flexuose greenish, or bluish stripes and spots. Membranous prolongation of the opereu- lum verylong and wholly black; eyes dark, the pupds being black, and ins brown. Tail and time brownish. All the colors Jess brilhant than in the Pomotis vulga- ris, its mouth proportionably larger, its fail less forked, and its pectorals broader and less pointed. Depth contained a little more than twice in the total length. Length of the specimen before me 42 m. ches, depth 1.9, height of the pectoral 0.9, length of the black portion of the prolon- gation of the operculum 0.4.
Rays, B , P. 4|, V. 1|5, D. 10|11, A. 3|10, C. 18.
Hisrowy .- The specimen from which the above figure and description were drawn, was taken in Connecticut river at Barnet. It bears considerable resemblance to the preceding species, and is there known by the same vulgar names. It may however readily be distinguished by the greater prolongation of the black membranous portion of the gill cover,and the absence of the scarlet termination, as well as by its greater depth in proportion to the length, its nearly even tail, deeper cleft mouth, and its broader and less pointed pectoral fins.
GENUS CENTRARCHUS. -- Cuc. et Val.
Qeueric Characters .-- Body ovat, compressed ; ene dorsal fin ; teeth like velvet pile, on the jaws, front of the voraer, palatine bones and the base of the Laagne ; preoperadam amire ; angle of the opera- Jum divided jato two flat points ; anal spines froot 3 to 9.
THE ROCK BASS. Centrarchus eneus -CUVIER
Cichla ænea, La: Soeur Jour Ac. Se. Phil. 11, p 214 Centrarchus queus, Cuv. et Val. iii, pl. 48 .- Fauna Boreuli Americana (Fishes) p. 18.
DESCRIPTION .- Form elliptical ; body deep and thin. Back dark ; sides yellow- ish, approaching to white on the belly ; a quadrangular black spot in the centre of each scale, giving the sides a striped appearance from the gillopening to the tail. Scales large on the sides, with the exposed part circular, and the concealed part finely grooved and truncated at the base; smaller on the back, belly, cheeks and operculnm ; lateral Ime parallel to the curve of the back, containing 12 scales ; opereula sealed, preoperculum serrated at the angle ; the operculum ter- minates backward in two thin lobes, with an acute notch between, and a dark col- ored membranous prolongation ; plate a- bove the pectoral smooth. Teeth small and thick like velvet pile in both jaws, on the vomer, and on the edges of the pala- tine bones. Eyes large and dark. Vent anterior. Ventral fins directly under the pectorals ; anal commences under the eth spinous ray of the dorsal ; dorsal and anal expanded posteriorly. The first ventral, the first twelve dorsal, and the first six anal rays spinous. Length of the speci- men before me 73 inches, from the snout to the vent 3; ;- to the posterior margin of the opereulum 21; depth 23, and con- tained near twice and a half in the total length.
Rays, Br. P. 14, V. 1|5, D. 12|10, A. G|9, C. 17.
HISTORY .- This fish is here known by no other name than Rock Bass. It is quite a common fish in lake Champlain, and its larger tributaries. It is usually taken with the hook along the precipitous rocky banks of the lake and rivers, and from this cireminstance it derives its name. It is considered a very good fish for the table, and its weight is usually about hall' a pound.
THE BLACK BASS.
Centrarchus fasciatus .- LE Stron. Ci hla fasciatu, Le Snc. Jour. Ac.Sc.Phil.11, p 214.
DESCRIPTION .- Form somewhat clipti- cal, compressed, a little convex on the sides, and pointed forwards. Color dark greenish above, lighter and faintty mot- tled on the sides, and grayish white be- Death ; sides ofthe head fine, light green ;
192
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART 1.
THE BLACK BASS.
scales firin, moderate on the sides and opereului, but very small ou the cheeks, back of the neck, throat and belly. Pre- operculame with its upper limb nearly ver- tical and nearly at right angles with the lower, without spines or serratures; in- teropereulum and suboperculum scaly up. on the upper side, and smooth below ; operculum triangular, with a membranous prolongation posteriorly, and the bony part terminating posteriorly in two thin lobes, with a deep notch between them, the lower lobe, which is largest, ending in several short spines ; teeth small, sharp and numerous in both jaws, on the lower anterior edges of the palatine bones, and on the vomer with a small cluster near the base of the triangular tongue, all standing like the pile on velvet, but hooking a little inward, those on the jaws largest. Fins small, brownish, and their soft parts covered with a rather thick mu- cous skin ; the dorsal rounded behind, low at the junction of the spinous and soft parts, and the spinons rays capable of be- ing reclined, imbricated and concealed in a longitudinal groove along the back ; ventrals a little behind the pectorals ; the anal under the posterior portion of the dorsal, and extending a little further back ; tail slightly emarginate, with the lobes rounded. Vent a trifle nearest the poste- rior extremity ; eyes moderately large ; lower jaw a trifle longer than the upper, with several visible pores along its mar- gin. Length of the specimen before me 19 inches ; the greatest depth equals one third of the length, exclusive of the tail.
Rays Br. G, P. 17, V. 1|5, D. 10115, A. 3|11, C. 17.
HISTORY .- The Black Bass, by which name this fish is here generally known, ranks as one of the best fishes taken from our waters ; but, as is apt to be the case with good fishes, it is much less abundant than several other species which are greatly its inferior in point of quality. It is usually taken with the seine, and its weight varies from one to five or six pounds.
GENUS ETHEOSTOMA .-- Rafinesque.
Generic Characters .- Body nearly cylindri- cal and scaly ; mouth variable with small teeth ; gill cover double or triple, unserrate with a spine on the operculna, and without scales ; branchial rays six ; rays in the ventral six, one of which is spiny, no appendage ; dorsal more or less divided into two, with all the rays of the anterior portion spiny ; vent nearly medial.
THE HOG FISH.
THE HOG FISII. Ethcostomu caprodes .- RAF.
Rafinesque Ich. Obiens. p. 38. Kirt. Rep. Zool. Cho, p. Jos. Boston Jour. Nat. His. 111-3.10.
DESCRIPTION .- Body lengthened and cylindrical ; head elongated, flattened on the forehead, with the snout protruded and rounded like that of the hog ; under jaw narrower and shorter than the upper ; mouth beneath, small. Color yellowish, darkly spotted and barred with brown above and on the sides; belly yellowish white ; 10 brown bars or blotches on the sides, the posterior one at the base of the tail black, with about 20 less distinct bars above and between these passing over the back ; candal and dorsal fins tinely spotted or barred with brown ; pectoral, ventral and anal transparent, unspotted and yellowish ; posterior part of the head above nearly black, but lighter towards the snout ; eyes middling size, promi- nent ; pupil black, surrounded by a bright line and a yellowish silvery iris ; tail slightly lunated ; scales ciliated and rough ; opereulum terminated posteriorly in a sharp spine; minute teeth in both jaws and on the vomer ; lateral line straight ; ventrals behind the pectorals and under the anterior part of the second dorsal. Length 3.2 inches ; pectoral fin as long as the head.
Rays, Br. G, P. 14, V. G, D. 14|14, A. 12, C. 17.
Thisronv .- This fish, though its vulgar name might be thought to imply the con- trary, is certainly one of the most sym- metrical and beautiful fishes found in our waters. It received the name of Hog Fish from a resemblance in the form of its snout and lower jaw to those of that quadruped. It is quite common in the months of the streams which fall into lake Champlain, but being a slender fish, and never exceeding 4 or 5 inches in length, no account is made of it as an ar- ticle of food, and very little is known of its habits. It swims low in the water, and when at rest usually lies at the bot- tom.
II .- SCIENIDE OR SCIENA FAMILY. GENUS CORVINA .- Cuvier.
Generic Characters .-- Head gibbous, caver- nous, and seals ; stones in the sack of the car very Marge ; no camne nor palatine teeth ; all the teeth.
1
133
FISHES OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 6. -
THE CARP SUCKER.
emne l And crowded , preoperculum dentated ; bran- this rays seven ; anal tin short, with the second
THE SHEEP'S HEAD. Corrina oscula -LE SUEUR.
Aass asula. Le Fu., Jour, A. N. Sei., ii, p. 252.
DESCRIPTION .- Back elevated ; body deep, thick through the abdomen, and compressed to an edge along the back, and slender near the tail ; hend dechuing ; about short, rounded, with three small oprings at the end, and large pores ne ir the top of the lower jaw ; mouth rather musli, hop. distinct ; teeth in both jaws co. mic and crowded, the outer series largest ; eyes large, round, and near the snout ; nostrila double, the posterior much the largest, and very near the eye ; head and opercula covered with scales; preopercu- lum coarsely serrated ; base of 2d dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins covered with scales; the 9 rays of the first dorsul, 1 ray of the 2d dorsal, the first ventral and two first anal rays, spinous ; the Ist dorsal and Ist anal spine very short, the 2d large and stout ; scales rough. Color brown- ish gray above, sides silvery, and pearly white, or cream color, beneath ; head with livid purple reflections ; dorsal, pec- toral, anal and caudal fins brownish ; ven- trala yellowish ; lateral line parallel to the arch ofthe back, and visible on two-thirds of the length of the tail; tail rounded ; height of the second dorsal nearly uni- form, the posterior reaching the base of the candal ; depth of the fish contained 3 tunes in the total length. Length of the specimen before me 173 inches ; greatest depth just behind the pectorals 53. .
Rays Br. 7, P. 16, V. 115, D. 9-1|31, A. 214, C. 18.
HISTORY .- This fish is quite common in lake Champlain, and is here generally known by the name of Sheep's Head. It is also found in the western Jakes and the Ohio river, where it is more commonly called the White Perch. This fish, taken from the Ohio river, is said to be fat, ten- der, and well flavored; but ours is lean, tough, and bony, and seldom eaten. It received its vulgar name from its resem- bling in appearance the Sargus oris, which is also called Sheep's Head on ac- count of its 'arched nose and smutty face ;' but the resemblance is in appear- auce ouly, for while the latter is consid-
ered one of the most delicious fishes for the table, the former is seldom carried to the table.
ORD. 11-MAL.ACOPLERYGH ABDOMINALES. Soft rugrd abdominal fishes.
The Malacopterygii are distinguished by having nearly or quite all of the fin-rays soft and branching as in the trout, and the order abdommales embraces the soft-rayed fishes, whose ventral tins are situated far back upon the abdomen, as in the trout, sucker and pickerel.
I .- CYPRINIDE. OR CARP FAMILY. GENUS CATASTOMUS .- LE SUEUR.
Generic Characters .- Back with a single dorsal ha ; gill membrane three rayed ; head and opereuta smooth : ja- toolless and retractile ; m wh beneath the snow ; lips plaited. lobed, or comen'ated, suitable for sucking ; throat with fre Undle 1 teeth. Tais Genus embraces the Suckers of the United States, of which there are about 20 species.
THIE CARP SUCKER.
Catastomus cyprinus .*- LE SUEUn. Jour. Acad. Sci. Phil., vol. I. p. 91, plate.
DESCRIPTION .-- Form gibbous ; back arched, thin and sharp ; belly thick and flattened between the pectoral and ven- tral fins. Head small and sloping ; snont short ; eyes rather small, pupil black, iris golden yellow ; nostrils large and double ; mouth small and lunated. Color light silvery brown, with golden reflections above, approaching to yellowish white, or cream color below. Scales very large, excepting along the base of the dorsal fin, of a semi-rhomboida! form, and beautiful- ly radiated ; the lateral line first bends downward, then nearly straight ; 40 scales on the lateral line and 13 in the oblique row, extending from the beginning of the dorsal to the middle of the ventral fin. Fins brownish flesh-color, all the rays coarse ; the dorsal commences at the highest part of the back, a little forward of the ventrals, and terminates nearly
* This species was removed by Cuvier from tho genus Catastomas, of the Sueur, to his own sub- genus Sabea, which is distinguished from the t'a- tastomus by the greater length of the dorsal tmn.
151
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE LAKE MULLET.
THE SUCKER.
over the middle of the anal, three or four of the first rays being much elongated, the others short ; the anal fin slightly lana- ted, the caudal forked with pointed lobes. The swimming bladdder divided in three sacks, connected by tubes. Length of the specimen before me from the snout to the extremity of the tail 16 inches,-to the tail 13, to the vent 10,-to the middle of the gill opening 34; greatest depth 5; greatest thickness 21 ; height of the front part of the dorsal 43; length of the dor- sal 5, scale on the side .8 by .7.
Rays, Br. 3, P. 16, V. 10, D. 28, A. 9, C. 18.
HISTORY .- This fish, though said to be common further south, is only occasion- ally taken in our waters, and here varies from 1 to 3 or 4 pounds in weight. It is considered a very good fish for the table, but like the others in this family it is wanting in finnness.
THE LAKE MULLET.
Catastomus oblongus .- MITCHELL.
Cyprinus oblongus-Mitchell. Trans. Lit. and Phit. Soc. of N. Y., 1 -- 459.
DESERNI TION .--- Form gibbons ; back arched ; body deep and thick ; head short and smooth ; mouth under, small and toothless ; gill openings narrow. Color above dark brown, lighter with bronzy re- fections on the sides, and dirty cream- color beneath ; scales large with radiating striæ, and arranged in abont 13 longitu- dinal rows on each side ; lateral line me- dial and nearly straight, but not very con- spienous. Dorsal fin brownish, the other fins lighter and usually more or less rud- dy ; pectorals, situated low and far for- ward upon the throat ; ventrals under the middle of the dorsal ; the anal reaching the base of the caudal ; tail deeply forked ; swimming bladder in three sacks con- nected by tubes. Length of the specimen before me 25 inches, depth in front of the dorsal 6, thickness 3, height of the dor- sal 3.2. Weight 6; lbs.
Rays, B. 3, P. 17, V. 9, D. 16, A. 9, C. 18.
ILISTORY .~ This fish is described by Dr. Mitehell under the name of the Chub of New York. It is here very generally known by the name of Mullet, under which name several spreies of lake suck-
ers are confounded, although it belongs to a family of fishes entirely distinct from the real Mullet. This is one of our most common fishes, and in the spring and early part of summer is caught with the seine in large quantities, both in lake Champlain and in the months of its lar- ger tributaries. The flesh of this fish is rather soft, and is considerably filled with the knots of fine bones so common to this family, and yet it is regarded as a very good fish for the table. There are varions methods of cooking it, but it is generally most highly esteemed when baked. The fish grows to a larger size, and is taken in lake Champlain in larger quantities than any other species of this family. Their usnal length is from 15 to 20 inches, and their weight from 2 to 5 pounds. But individuals are often taken which are much larger, weighing, in some cases, 9 or 10 pounds. The usual price, when fresh, is from 3 to 4 cents a pound.
THIE SUCKER.
Catastomus teres .- MITCHELL.
Cyprinus teres - Mitchell. Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc of N. Y., 1 -- 459.
DESCRIPTION .- Body lengthened, thick and subcylindrical, the head one-sixth the total length ; color blackish brown above, darkest on the head, often tinged with green ; sides brownish, often with golden reflections from the scales ; belly white, and sometimes yellowish ; dorsal and candal fin brown ; the other fins ruddy, or yellowish brown. llead rather small, and with the checks and opercula smooth ; eyes small, iris golden, but very dark in some specimens ; nostrils large, double and very near the eye in front. Scales of middling size, radiated, with 17 in the oblique row extending from the anterior base of the ventral to the posterior ray of the dorsal, the middle scale being crossed by the lateral line which is straight in the middle of the body, and contains Gl scales. Pectoral fins situated very near the gills, the dorsal on the middle of the back, and about as long as high ; the ven- trals rather small, under the middle of the dorsal ; the anal far back, reaching the base of the candal, and its length con- tained 23 times in its height ; the tail forked ; all the fin rays coarse, partien- larly those of the anal fin. The swim- ming bladder in two sacks connected by a tube. Length of the specimen before me 223 inches, from the snout to the pos- terior edge of the gill covers 4.4, from the gill to the base of the tail along the later- al line 15. Its greatest depth 5 4, thick- ness 3, and its weight 5| Ibs.
-
CHAP. 5.
FISHES OF VERMONT.
135
THE HI ACK AND LONG - NOSED SUCKERS.
THE DACE'
Rays, Br. 3, P. 18, V. 10, D. 13, A. 8, ] zontal, terminated in a long snout. Length C. Is.
History .- This is generally known on the west si de of the Green Mountains by the name of Sucker, or Black Sucker, while another species is known by the same names on the east side of the moun- tains. This fish is quite common in lake Champlain, and in most of the large streams and ponds connected with it.
THE BLACK SUCKER.
Catastomus nigricans .- LE SUEUR.
Jour. Acud. Nat. Science, 1-102. Storer's Report, Fishes of Mass,, p. 86.
DESCRIPTION .- Color of the back black ; sides reddish yellow with black blotches ; beneath white, with golden reflections ; scales moderate in size ; head quadrangu- lar, one fifth the length of the fish ; top of the head of a deeper black than the body ; eyes moderate, oblong ; pupils black ; irides golden ; mouth large ; cor- rugations of the lips very large, particu- larly those of the lower lip ; lateral line, rising back of the operculum on a line op- posite the centre of the eye, makes a very slight curve downwards and then pursues nearly a straight course to the tail, and contains 60 scales ; back between the head and dorsal fin rounded; pectoral, ven- tral and anal fins reddish ; caudal and dorsal blackish ; height of the dorsal equal to two thirds its length ; third and fourth rays of the anal reach the base of the candal. Length of the specimen from which the description is drawn 15 inches.
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