360 BOOK OF THE BLACK BA8S. 



But let us begin at the beginning. 



The great problem of life with fishes seems to be to eat 

 and avoid being eaten. Very well. Now, which is the 

 controlling influence in a fish's mind — if he has any, per- 

 haps, in deference to authority, we had better call it in- 

 stinct — his desire to eat, or his desire of self-preservation? 

 Now, right here, may be involved the fundamental prin- 

 ciple governing this whole question of a fish's "biting." 



Let us see. That fish can abstain from solid food for 

 an indefinite period, procuring some nourishment from the 

 water they breathe, as in confinement, during hibernation, 

 and during the breeding season, is well known, and needs 

 no corroborative evidence here. 



That, when they do feed, and the supply of food is 

 abundant, they completely gorge themselves — some even 

 ejecting the contents of their stomachs to enjoy the grati- 

 fication of refilling them — is also an authenticated fiict. 



When their stomachs are thus filled and gorged with 

 food, it is reasonable to suppose that, like other preda- 

 cious animals, they remain listlessly about their haunts, 

 or retire to some secluded retreat, to digest it at their 

 leisure; and, during the process of digestion, refuse to 

 notice their usual food ; for I have frequently observed 

 Black Bass remain motionless for hours, except a slight 

 movement of the fins, utterly regardless of the schools 

 of minnows that were swarming about them, and this at a 

 season when they usually " bite " the best. 



Now, this alternate feasting and fasting may be a nec- 

 essary habit, to enable fish to meet the exigencies of 

 spawning, hibernation (in some), and the vicissitudes of 

 the element in which they live, and the abundance or lack 

 of food at certain times. 



