The “Bass” are fishes common on the coasts of Europe and the Atlantic coasts, and in the fresh waters of the United States and Canada. The three European species are almost exclusively inhabitants of the sea, entering brackish, but never fresh waters, whilst the American species, the number of which is still uncertain, seem to affect principally fresh water, although some are also found in the sea. The best known European species is _Labrax lupus_ (see p. 41, Fig. 4), common on the British coasts. It is a voracious fish, with a remarkably large stomach, and received from the ancient Romans the appropriate name of _lupus_. By the Greeks it was so highly esteemed that Archestratus termed this or one of the two other closely-allied species, taken near Milet, “offspring of the gods.” They attributed to it a tender regard for its own safety; and Aristotle says that it is the most cunning of fishes; and that, when surrounded by the net, it digs for itself a channel of escape through the sand. Specimens of from two to three feet are not scarce, but its flesh is nowadays much less esteemed than in ancient times. Of the North American species _Labrax lineatus_ and _Labrax rufus_ are the most common. LATES.--All the teeth are villiform, without canines; teeth on the palatine bones and vomer, but none on the tongue. Two dorsal fins--the first with seven or eight, the anal fin with two or three, spines. Præoperculum with strong spines at the angle and the lower limb; also the præorbital is strongly serrated. Scales of moderate size. Branchiostegals seven; pseudobranchiæ present. Three well-known species belong to this genus. The Perch of the Nile and other rivers of tropical Africa (_Lates niloticus_); the Perch of the Ganges and other East Indian rivers, which enters freely brackish water, and extends to the rivers of Queensland (_Lates calcarifer_). These two species attain to a large size, the Indian species to a length of five feet. Hamilton says that “the vulgar English in Calcutta call it ‘Cockup,’ and that it is one of the lightest and most esteemed foods brought to table in that city.” Specimens two feet in length and caught in salt water are by far the best quality. The third species (_Lates colonorum_) is found in Australia only, and does not appear to grow to the same large size as its congeners. Allied to _Lates_ is _Psammoperca_ from Australia. PERCALABRAX.--All the teeth villiform, without canines; teeth on the palatine bones and vomer, but none on the tongue. Two dorsal fins--the first with eleven, the anal fin with three spines. Præoperculum serrated along its hinder margin, and with strong spinous teeth below; præorbital not serrated. Scales rather small. Branchiostegals seven; pseudobranchiæ present. This Perch (_Percalabrax japonicus_) is one of the most common fishes on the coasts of China, Japan, and Formosa; the Japanese name it “Zuzuki,” or “Seengo.”