122 AMERICAN GAME. 



covered with large scales of a metallic or nacrous lustre, 

 varying from reddish brown, with coerular and greenish 

 reflections on the back, to the brightest silver on the 

 belly. It has eight, or sometimes nine longitudinal lines, 

 the fourth of which corresponds with the lateral line, 

 the first four running through the whole length of the 

 fish, the others becoming fainter and gradually dying 

 away, as they extend towards the tail. He is a severe fish 

 of prey and very voracious, and is accordingly equipped 

 with a very powerful system of teeth, and his tongue is 

 rough, like a file, with innumerable rows of small thorn- 

 like teeth. Of all species, which may properly be called 

 sea-fish, the Striped Bass is, perhaps, that which most 

 affects fresh waters, for at an early season in the spring, 

 so soon as, or almost before they are clear of ice, he 

 begins to run up the rivers in pursuit of the smelt, to 

 which he is a cruel enemy and persecutor, and of the shad, 

 which he follows assiduously to their spawning places, 

 making sad havoc with the roe of the latter. 



Either of these, therefore the smelt or spearling, or 

 any very white and glistening fish, or even a piece of 

 polished pearl or tin as a trolling bait, or in squidding 

 with a hand-line and the shad roe, potted and salted so 

 as to preserve it, and attached to the hook with a needle- 

 full of yellow silk, as a bottom bait, in rapid scours over 

 gravelly ground, will be found exceedingly fatal baits. 

 It is worthy of remark, however, that except in the 

 spring season, and in rivers up which shad and smelt 



