lAMAl.lTlKS. 'M)^ 



Bass coniparatiM'ly rnrf. Tn T.akc V.vw, the Hlaik Mass greatly 

 prcdoniiimtcs, uud it may be tloubtcd whether the Oswcgonian 

 — like certain citizens of the Ontario shore — is not an inter- 

 loper in onr waters, who has t'uund his way to ns tVoni Ijelow, 

 throngh some canal. However this may he, he is certainly 

 right welcome ! 



"The Hlaek Hass is our chief object of pnrsuit — his captnre 

 is ojir dearest trinmph — his captive form our proudest trophy. 

 When word lirst conies, iu .luiic, that the Hlaek Hass bites in 

 onr river, what a stir there is auion;^ onr anglers! — what 

 questioning as to the wlu-n, and the where, and l)y whom, and 

 with what bait, and thi- nund)er and size! — what an anxiniis 

 imjniry after big minnows ! — what a raking and scraping of 

 pond-holes for soft lobsters ! — what a watching of the skies! — 

 aiul, if there be no wind, or a zephyr from the south or west, 

 what bright and hopeful faces ! — but if the storm rage, or an 

 easterly w ind, however gentle, fan onr sleeping bay, what rueful 

 countenances! — what half-suppressed repining! — what a woeful 

 spiritless attempting to be busy about our ordinary avocations ! 

 Anil why this commotion? Because this is the very i)rinec of 

 onr (Jame Fishes. His capture is a less easy task, and in\()l\is, 

 or is supposed to involve, more science, and to in- a truer proof 

 of merit as an angler, than any other temint of our crystal 

 waters. But — let me whisper in thy car, my friend! — tlicrc is 

 much of fancy in all this. He is a noble fish, and stniggles 

 vigorously and most pertinaciously for liberty ; but no art nor 

 skill, unattainable by thee, or any one, is recinisitc to hook or 

 draw liim from liis element. 



"This fish beds in onr .«.tre.im.s and rivers, ami jtrobaldv, 



