GENERAL AND SPECIFIC FEATURES. 139 



without reference to color, are sufficiently pronounced to 

 enable the angler to readily determine, by comparison, the 

 small-mouthed from the large-mouthed Bass; for these 

 differences are constant wherever the Black Bass exists, 

 from Maine to Mexico, or from Canada to Floridii. To 

 the specialist there are other points of differentiation as 

 detailed in the preceding chapter. 



In preparing tables of exact measurements of the species, 

 as also tables showing the relative weight as to length, I 

 found so much discrepancy in these respects, in the same 

 species from different localities, owing to slight variations 

 of shape and conformation, that I concluded they would 

 not subserve the purposes of a general guide^ and so 

 omitted them. 



Both species are remarkably active, muscular and vora- 

 cious, with large, hard and tough mouths ; are very bold 

 in biting, and when hooked exhibit gameness and endur- 

 ance second to no other fish. Both species give off the 

 characteristic musky odor w"hen caught. 



Both species generally inhabit the same waters, and 

 there is a slight diversity in their habits where they co- 

 exist together. Naturally, the small-mouthed Bass prefers 

 rocky streams or the gravelly shoals and bottom springs 

 of lakes and ponds, while its large-mouthed congener 

 lurks about the submerged roots of trees or sunken logs in 

 rivers, and delights in the beds of rushes and aquatic 

 plants of lacustrine waters ; but they readily adapt thcm- 

 selv^es to waters of various conditions, when transplanted, 

 easily accommodating themselves to their surroundings, 

 and have a happy faculty of making themselves at home 

 wherever placed, so that in some localities their habits are 

 as anomalous as their colors. 



