136 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



Virginia to Florida; including also the widely-separated 

 sections of the Red River of the North and East Mexico. 



It would naturally be exjDected, in view of this extra- 

 ordinary and expansive habitat, to find diiforences in color, 

 habits and conformation; indeed, it is surprising that the 

 variations are not more marked, and the number of species, 

 consequently, greater, when one considers the great natural 

 differences and conditions of the numerous waters, and the 

 varieties of climate to which this genus is native. To the 

 careless observer, however, there is but little to determine 

 the differences between the two species of Black Bass. I 

 have known anglers who had "slain their thousands" of 

 both species, but wdio had never suspected that there was 

 any difference except in color, until I pointed out to them 

 the specific characteristics. Even those of more attentive 

 observation, but who have never seen the two species 

 together, find it difficult to readily comprehend the differ- 

 ence. To the trained observer, however, it is an easy 

 task to distinguish the variations ; and when specimens 

 of equal weight, of both species, are placed side by side, 

 the difference is at once apparent. 



As widely distributed as the Black Bass is, we find that 

 the most striking variation, in either species, is in color, 

 which will run from almost black through all the shades 

 of slate, green, olive and yellow to almost white ; and in- 

 deed these variations in color can be found in almost any 

 one State, and to a great extent in any one stream, or lake, 

 at different seasons of the year. In some sections of the 

 country one species may be more or less spotted or barred, 

 while the other species may exhibit well-defined lateral 

 bands of dark spots, though these peculiarities are more 

 likely to occur in young or adolescent specimens. 



