222 Modern Fishculture in Fresh and Salt Water. 



the mountains, the Mississippi valley, especially north- 

 ward, it being the most northerly fish of the two. It 

 prefers clear, quiet waters where the bottom is cov- 

 ered with grass, and it shuns muddy waters. The 

 species cannot be separated by color. Both are "un- 

 dershot,'' as they speak of the protruding lower jaw 

 of the bulldog and pug, but the small mouth is the 

 least so. (See cuts.) It has seven or ight spines in 

 its dorsal fin, while the other has but six. 



BIG MOUTH CRAPPIE (Pomoxys annularis) . 



This is the more southern species. To one accus- 

 tomed to both, the elongated thickened lower jaw 

 would proclaim the big mouth at once without count- 

 ing dorsal spines. These fishes are more alike than 

 the black basses, yet they are as distinct in structure 

 and habits. The big mouth loves muddy bottoms, but 

 is often found with its brother. Note the general 

 shape of the fishes and the smoother outline of the 

 small mouth. 



Both these fish are more compressed than the black 

 basses, quite as much so as the sunfish. They are 

 good pan-fish, growing to a foot in length and of some 

 two pounds weight. 



CULTURE. 



What has been said in this regard of the black bass 

 may be said for the crappies. They have always been 

 favorites of mine and are worth pond room with the 

 black bass. 



