BLACK BASS. 365 



southern hemisphere. With how much less difficulty 

 could this fish be transported here no tropics to cross, 

 only one -fourth or fifth the distance to traverse, and 

 steam-ships to be found sailing almost every day of the 

 week. Certainly this matter is worthy of considera- 

 tion, for not only would thousands find amusement and 

 health in their capture, but a wholesome and excellent 

 article of food be provided for our immense popu- 

 lation. 



BLACK BASS are found in the vicinity of the Thou- 

 sand Islands on^the St. Lawrence, the Niagara Eiver, 

 Lake Erie, and in fact nearly all streams and lakes 

 that are situated near the line which separates Canada 

 from the United States, also the tributaries of the 

 Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. I am informed that 

 they are also most abundant in the Potomac, into which 

 river they were introduced twenty years ago by a keen 

 fisherman who possessed property on its margin. The 

 artificial fly, spoon bait, or trolling with minnow, will 

 all be found successful in their capture. From their 

 great activity, strength, and vitality, very strong 

 tackle must be used in fishing for them, such in fact 

 as generally is employed for sea-trout. It is very 

 much to be regretted that the efforts made of late years 

 to introduce black bass into English waters by myself 

 first, and Mr. Parnaby, of Borrowdale, afterwards, 

 have been a failure, for they are unquestionably as fine 

 a fish for angling purposes as any we possess, and as 

 an article of food are equal to our best. 



On the Wabash I have had some magnificent black 

 bass fishing. About one mile and a half above the 

 town of Vincennes, in Indiana, a small rivulet enters 

 it, and when floods occur in the parent stream the 



