SEA FISH. — FRESH-WATER FISH. 15 



much to watchful observation of minutiae, such as the fouUing 

 of the line, the correct depth of the plummet or sinker, and 

 such like, and more to delicacy of hand in feeling, appreciating, 

 and humouring the victim, when coquetting and nibbling about 

 the bait. It cannot be likened to the skill exerted in casting 

 and managing the fly, or the spinning minnow ; much less to 

 the playing, killing, and basketing the heaviest kind of fish with 

 the lightest running tackle. 



It must be acquired by habit and practice, if it be thought 

 worth the trouble of acquisition, but it can scarcely be taught 

 at all by instruction or example ; and written precepts to this 

 end would be altogether worthless, as they would be dull and 

 unamusing. 



I shall now proceed to the enumeration of the Game Fishes 

 of the United States and British Provinces of North America, 

 according to my understanding of their game qualities — 

 regarding them, first, under their great divisions of fresh and 

 salt-water fish ; then as migratory or non-migratory, and deep- 

 sea or shoal-water. 



And here I shall observe that I adopt these grand divisions 

 as paramount to the natural distinctions of genera, families, 

 and the like, as I conceive that such a treatment of my subject 

 will be most conducive to the pleasure and advantage of sports- 

 men, for whose benefit I especially write ; while the naturalist 

 will find that, subject to these divisions, he will recognise all 

 his old acquaintances, and perhaps encounter some new ones, 

 under the generic and specific divisions and definitions to which 

 he has been accustomed. All the Game Fish of this country 

 belong to a few well-marked families ; and with the sole excep- 



