CHAPTER IV. 

 COLORATION OF THE BLACK BASS. 



THE coloration of the young of the small-mouthed Bass 

 is light green, with golden reflections, and with numerous 

 small dots or punctulations, which aggregate in small clus- 

 ters, approaching somewhat the appearance of vertical bars. 

 Iris, golden. Base of caudal fin yellowish, tip whitish, and 

 dark olivaceous or blackish in the middle. 



In the young of the large-mouthed Bass the color is also 

 greenish but darker, with a blackish band along the lateral 

 line, and clusters of dark spots above and below. Iris, 

 golden. Base and tip of caudal fin somewhat paler than 

 the middle. 



Those who keep their fish alive in fish-cars, live-boxes, 

 etc., or by the more reprehensible practice of stringing the 

 fish, will observe, t'hat however different in coloration fishes 

 of the same species may appear when first caught, that 

 after being subjected to the same conditions for a few hours 

 they will all exhibit the same coloration. 



Another instance of the change of coloration due to en- 

 vironment, or change in the condition, character, depth and 

 temperature of the water, or in the food, is seen in the 

 Canadian sea-trout. This is merely the brook-trout that 

 has become anadromous and runs to the sea. When it re- 

 turns, in the spring or early summer, to the mouths of the 

 streams, it is, like most marine fishes, of a bright, silvery 

 appearance ; but after being in fresh water a short time it 



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