STRIPED BASS. 203 
their Dutch dictionaries. There conlcl, however, be no 
more creditable derivation, and as manj authorities 
assert the fact, it is as well to let it pass. The fish are 
found along the coast from Maine to Florida, although 
they appear never to have visited Europe, and are the 
gamest salt water fish of our continent. In their season, 
which is at intervals from early Spring to late in Fall, 
they are taken on the bars and in every creek of our ex- 
tensive coast. The net destroys the greater number, but 
they bite freely and fight bravely for their lives. Great 
skill and experience are requisite for their successful 
capture when they are shy and scarce, but when abun- 
dant or hungry, although always a dainty fish, they bite 
rapidly and boldly. Like the squid of the deep seas, 
these may be said to be the largest and smallest of fish ; 
they are taken from an ounce to a hundred pounds' 
weight. 
The Striped Bass becomes an object of the angler's 
attention in April, when he runs up the rivers to spawn. 
He ascends into cool fresh water, until arrested by a 
natural, or, too frequently, an artificial barrier. He is 
taken under the Cohoes Falls in the Mohawk, and at Al- 
bany and Troy in the Hudson, and reaches the very 
head-waters of the Delaware, where he is known as Kock- 
fish. Many, and those the largest, do not appear to 
leave the salt water, and are found in the small bays and 
inlets. In the fall, when the cold weather sets in, they 
retire to the salt water coves and lagoons, where they lie 
imbedded in the mud or hiding near the bottom, secure 
against danger, or discomfort from cold or storms. Ad- 
vantage is taken of this peculiarity by the market fish- 
