472 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATEES. 



in the morning, and from four in the afternoon until dark. To 

 take this cunning fish, it is necessary to use great circum- 



THE BREAM. Cyprinus &rama, and Abramis chrysoptera. 



spection and fish with the most delicate hair or silk line, with 

 the finest silk-worm gut for leader. 



"Where'er you ply, your labor will be vain, 



If you the rules of art do not attain ; 



For diff'rent waters diff'rent species yield, 



The angler's art commands the widest field." 

 "The trout prefers a very rapid stream, 



While the placid lake pleases best the bream. " 



The Abramis brama, or common bream, attains to the 

 weight of ten pounds, and is very prolific. It used to be re- 

 garded in Europe as worthy of stately dinners ; but since 

 the SalmoniddB have become more common, this fish is chief- 

 ly cultivated in Germany for profit, and generally caught in 

 nets; but in France it is still appreciated. 



It is covered with scales of medium size. In coloring, its 

 back is a gray bleuetre, fading to light bluish gray at the 

 lateral line, with a white abdomen ; the superior fins dark, 

 and lower ones very light gray. It has a forest of little teeth 

 in its small mouth, and a hard throatal cartilaginous bone in 

 the throat which helps mastication. 



The milter has two bags of milt, and the spawner two 

 bags of spawn.. Like other members of the family Pleuro- 



