372 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



all the whisky in the county won't save you." 

 (Whisky is considered an infallible cure for snake 

 bites.) This nondescript to be avoided was like Sie- 

 bold's salamander, with four of the smallest and most 

 awkward-looking legs; the brute was about fourteen 

 inches long, and was there known by the name of 

 water-dog. It frequently takes the fisherman's bait, 

 who prefers to cut his line and lose the hook to 

 becoming on any more intimate terms. 



COMMON BASS 



Never exceeds a pound in weight, but more generally 

 is captured half these dimensions. In some streams, 

 such as the Niagara, Iroquois, Kankakee, and White 

 Eiver, it positively swarms in such abundance as to 

 become a trouble to the fisherman who desires catching 

 heavier fish. In shape and build they much resemble 

 a well-fed English perch, but instead of possessing the 

 same colouring, they are of a dark copper shade along 

 the back, which gradually becomes lighter as you 

 approach the stomach. However much they may be 

 despised by the ambitious sportsman, still it is far 

 from an unworthy fish, for it is a greedy feeder, 

 exceedingly strong on the hook, and last, but not least, 

 excellent when cooked. 



In American waters there are several other species 

 of this genus, no less curious in appearance than their 

 names, goggle-eyes, new lights, &c., &c., &c., which, 

 although not indifferent as food, still are unworthy of 

 particular attention by the fisherman, as their size is 

 too inconsiderable to make them worthy antagonists. 



