THE RUFFE 69 
writings of Mr. Aflalo, who has made a special study of sea- 
fishing :-— 
“I have long thought, though it must be admitted that 
I can quote no successes in support of the notion, that the 
true secret of successful bass-fishing will be solved from a 
sloping beach, so often have I seen large bass after an August 
gale feeding just behind the rollers in the surf, where it was 
impossible to get at them from either boat or pier. Unfor- 
tunately, at the very season when the bass come so close 
in shore, the beach is crowded with holiday folk, whose 
immediate neighbourhood the peaceful angler shuns at any 
cost, even that of an empty creel. I do not, however, despair 
of finding one of these days, in the early morning, the right 
combination of bass feeding close in shore and a beach with 
plenty of elbow-room. So far it is a dream.” * 
It behoves the angler in the moment of success to be 
wary in handling his captive, for the bass carries some sharp 
spines, and is capable of inflicting very painful stabs in its 
vigorous struggling. 
The Ruffe, or Pope (4cerina cernua) 
Fin FoRMULA. TEETH. 
Dorsal: 13 to 15 spines, 12 rays. All villiform, without 
Pectoral: 13 rays. canines ; on the vomer, 
Ventral: 1 spine, 5 rays. but none on the palatal 
Anal: 2 spines, 5 or 6 rays. bones and tongue. 
Caudal: 17 rays. 
It is one of the enigmas of evolution how it has come to 
pass that certain animals, obviously offshoots from a common 
type, should be found inhabiting the same region, feeding on 
the same food, and practising similar habits, and yet main- 
taining their generic individuality. Thus the ruffe, or pope, 
* Sea Fish, by F. G. Aflalo. The Anglers’ Library. London: Law- 
rence & Bullen, 1898. 
