20 HOME FISHING AND HOME WATERS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE MOTHERLY CARE OF SOME FISHES. 



HAVING told my readers something about the 

 beneficial results of fish culture, and how the fish 

 culturist acts as a foster - mother to the young 

 fry, I will mention a few fresh-water fishes that 

 do not need the protection and care in handling 

 their spawn, which is necessary with other kinds. 

 Most notably among these are the Black Bass 

 and Bull-head. Nature seems to have endowed 

 these fish with certain motherly instincts, which lead 

 them to protect their spawn from their numer- 

 ous enemies until it is hatched, and then look 

 after the young fry until they have in a measure 

 learned to take care of themselves. All they need 

 is the protection of the law to guard against their 

 being caught, or disturbed while they are engaged 

 in casting their spawn. The black bass more partic- 

 ularly needs protection. The bull-head has shown 

 its ability to keep up with the fisherman, without 

 any protection whatever. 



The black bass in the northern part of the coun- 

 try, cast their spawn principally during the month 

 of June. They prepare their nests on a rocky bot- 

 tom, and after the spawn has been cast and impreg- 

 nated, the female stands guard over them during 

 the hatching period, which is usually from five to 



