PROPAGATION 71 



3. The actual time of spawning is indefinite, but prob- 

 ably averages one or two hours. 



4. During spawning both fish are mottled, but the female 

 more conspicuously than the male. 



5. After spawning the female leaves the nest of her own 

 accord, or is driven from it by the male. 



6. The male then guards the nest until the young fish 

 leave it, and then guards them until they are about an inch 

 in length. During this period he watches them carefully 

 and chases away all intruders. 



Although slight variations in the above may occur when 

 bass spawn in large numbers and under natural conditions, 

 yet the facts observed by Dr. Reighard are in the main true, 

 and in accordance with my own observations in natural waters. 



Regarding the statement frequently made by anglers 

 that bass have been taken in the summer and early fall 

 ready to spawn, I think there is a false impression. 



As soon as a female spawns, the undeveloped ova in the 

 ovi-sacs no doubt begin to grow again, and in a month or 

 two may be quite large. In fact, if one takes the trouble 

 to examine bass in September, it will be seen that all the 

 females will have eggs fairly well developed, especially if 

 the weather be very warm. 



In 1905, during the last week of September, I caught 

 female bass at the mouth of the Go Home River, Georgian 

 Bay, which, on account of the unprecedented hot weather, 

 were apparently ready to spawn; but no doubt with advanc- 

 ing cold weather, these eggs would remain with the fish 

 and not be deposited until the following spring. In a letter 

 received from Dr. Reighard, to whom I wrote concerning 

 this point, he says: 



"The ovi-sacs of the bass, as of other fish, are permanent 

 structures which produce the eggs annually. When the 

 eggs of the year have been laid, those to be laid during suc- 

 ceeding years are present in the ovi-sacs. Those to be laid 



