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Catesby Volume II: The Negro-Fish and the Black-Tail

Mark Catesby's
Description of the Negro-Fish

 

(PERCA marina puncticulata)

This Fish was in shape not unlike a Pearch, and in length usually from six to ten inches, of a dark brown colour, sprinkled thick all over with small blue spots. The iris of the eye red and yellow, blended in each other: the mouth wide, with a single row of sharp teeth in each mandible. The number of fins were five, one on the back, the fore-part of which was strengthened with spiny bones, the hind-part was more tender and pliant: behind the gills were two more, and one under the abdomen, with a fifth behind the anus, having two sharp pointed bones annexed to it. The tail convex at the end.

 

Mark Catesby's
Description of the Black-Tail

 

(PERCA marina cauda nigra)

This Fish is usually of the size of the precedent, dusky black on the back and lighter towards the belly, with single rows of yellow scales from the head to the tail. The mouth and teeth like those of a Pearch. The iris of the eyes dark grey: A large prickly fin on the back, was joined by another smaller one, with an even edge: behind the gills were two more; under the abdomen was another, and one behind the anus, with a sharp bone annexed to the fore-part of it. The tail black, and bordered round the edges with a broad list of white, and very forked.