152 



SEA PERCH, OR BASS. 



{Ferca labrax.) 



The Bass, or Sea Perch, is a handsome, well- shaped fish, 

 though it is destitute of the strongly contrasted colouring 

 and zebra-like bars of the fresh-water perch, from 

 which it is also distinguished by an abundance of small 

 teeth upon the tongue. It is common in many parts of 

 England, and is of migratory habits, generally coming 

 in towards shore at its proper time. The upper parts 

 are grey, with bluish reflections, which gradually shade 

 into a silvery-white on the lower parts ; the fins are 

 grey, the pectoral ones slightly tinged with red. At 

 some periods they appear to be marked with spots or 

 clouds ; when young they are as bright as a new shil- 

 ling, and very beautiful. In Kent they are called the 

 White Salmon, or Salmon Dace. These fish arrive 

 from the deep sea in the month of June and remain till 

 October. When they are on the feed, a basket of 15lbs. 

 or 161bs. is not uncommon : they are caught by the rod 

 to the weight of 91bs., but one has been taken 221bs., 

 close to the pier at Heme Bay, with a net. The mode 

 of fishing is with an ordinary trolling rod, and the bait 

 used is the sand-eel. An excellent artificial bait of 

 india-rubber fo'r bass is made by Mr. Hearder, fishing- 

 tackle maker, of Plymouth. 



Casts of bass can be seen at my museum, the largest 

 being ISflbs. This fine fish was caught at Poole, 

 Dorset, and presented to me by Mr. Penry of that 

 place. When taking a bass ofl:' a hook mind his back 

 fin. 



