

378 PBAIRIE AND FOEEST. 



prime condition, it is generally buried several inches 

 beneath the mud. Americans have reason to be proud of 

 the black bass, for its game qualities endear it to the 

 fisherman, and its nutty sweet flavour to the gourmand. 



The black bass is an extremely free feeder, and is caught 

 in all the various ways used to capture trout He rises 

 freely at the fly ; with minnow or worm, crawfish, spoon 

 bait, or almost any artificial device, he can be taken. On 

 being hooked, generally the first effort he makes for 

 freedom is to spring from the water. Look out, Mr. 

 Angler dip your rod in courtesy to him, for if you neglect 

 the requisite salaam, your acquaintance will probably ter- 

 minate. When this device has failed, with a purpose and 

 force alike surprising, he makes a rush for parts unknown, 

 and not until -every effort, every trick is put in practice 

 that is known to the fish family, can you get the slightest 

 chance to use your landing-net. I have frequently, after 

 a long and fierce struggle, been about to place the net 

 under him, but the movement was enough : though appa- 

 rently exhausted, the fish took a new lease of life, and a 

 further trial of patience was demanded before I could call 

 the prize mine. In shape, the black bass much resembles 

 a well -fed trout; but is deeper and thicker made, while the 

 tail is remarkable for its breadth. Their weight varies 

 from lib. to 5lb. ; yet, on the Niagara river, near the 

 village of Chippawa, I captured a splendid fellow quite 

 811). ; but I was then assured that I had reason to congra- 

 tulate myself, for fish of such a size were far from common, 

 colour, as in all varieties offish, varies much. In clear 

 running-water they are generally a very dark green upon 



