FISHES. 171 



bed ill shallow water, on tlie margin of deep wa- 

 ter, by scooping the sand in the shape of a circle, 

 dt-ep at the centre, and sloping gradually from the 

 periphery. In the centre tlie ova are deposited in 

 Ijine sand, and as you glide over the waters of the 

 Lake, you can see the fish in the circle, incum= 

 bent sometimes over the ova, and at other times 

 darting with fury, and driving off all strange fish 

 that approach its nest. The power of parental 

 affection is manifest in this case, and the storge 

 prevails in fish as well as in all other animals, as 

 long as it is necessary to be exercised for the pre- 

 servation of the young. The eggs it is necessary 

 to defend, but the fry can escape into shallow 

 water. This fish spawns in June ; its offspring 

 are numerous. I have caught him with the com- 

 mon angle worm ; when he strikes the hook he 

 vaults up, and if pulled with too much violence, 

 the ligament of the under jaw is broken, and he 

 escapes. When he springs from the hook, he 

 shakes his head to extricate his mouth ; and he 

 should therefore be drawn up with all possible ex- 

 pedition ; and if unsuccessful in that way, he will 

 run off with such violence, as sometimes to break 

 the strongest hair line. This fish formerly 

 abounded in Lake George, where he exercised 

 dominion without a rival, there being no pike to 

 contest his ascendancy , but in late years he is 



