404 BLACK BASS FISHING. 



is the homage he receives from all around ! Truly, it is libel 

 on him to call by the same name this Pariah of the lakes. 



" And yet our fish is vigorous, and not altogether destitute of 

 beauty, to the eye at least of those who know him not. Is it 

 not chronicled, that at Black-Rock, a strange angler once 

 bartered away two noble Bass for two large Sheep's-heads, 

 which, for the nonce, were called White Bass ? ' The freckled 

 toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his 

 head ' — and our fish, in his clumsy cranium, wears two small 

 loose bones, serrate and white and polished, which must have 

 some use to him, some wondrous adaptation to his mode of life, 

 which, when unfolded, will prove that he is not unregarded by 

 Him who has made the great whales and the fishes of the sea. 



" His mouth is paved with large, flat, rough bones, or teeth, 

 like those of the sea fishes that root up and devour the hardest 

 testaceae; and I have little doubt but that the naturalist 

 who watches him narrowly, will one of these days detect him 

 crushing and consuming the Uni and Anadontas — the fresh 

 clams of our muddy flats and sandy bars. 



" He bites at the worm, the minnow, the chub, the lobster, 

 and makes good play witli the line, though he gives in more 

 quickly than the Bass. An experienced angler can generally 

 distinguish his bite and his resistance — but the most knowing 

 ones are sometimes taken in, and think him Bass until he is 

 fairly brought to view. 



" When you have caught him, let any one who will accept 

 him have him j and take to thyself no merit for the gift. His 

 meat is more like leather than fish or flesh. It is a common 

 saying that the more you cook him the tougher he becomes ; 



