152 A UTUMN ANGLING 



cornutus\ and wherever it is found, there will it 

 catch bass. Moreover, it is a very sure thing that 

 bass will thrive in the waters that produce it, and 

 that they are pretty generally to be found there- 

 abouts, even as the silver birch-tree is a sign that 

 the soil and water will do for trout. This " Dob- 

 son " has also about a score more local names ; 

 and few boys living on the banks of bass rivers 

 will fail to remember its decidedly interesting but 

 pugnacious appearance. 



In the winter the dobson cannot be found in 

 the water, but hides itself deep in the earth be- 

 neath stones and debris, especially if the latter 

 be woody. Early in spring it may be dug up from 

 such positions ; but as time goes on it seeks the 

 water and lives under stones, where it can be 

 caught with a net of mosquito-netting. As its 

 breathing apparatus permits it living in either air 

 or water, it can be kept among half-rotten chips of 

 wood in a box all summer without other food, if 

 once a day the can or box be flooded with cool 

 water, and this water carefully drained out again. 

 The dobson should be hooked under the hard cara- 

 pace or armor-piece at the back of the neck, 

 taking care that you hold it firmly by the back 



