GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 47 



while the numbers of the Bass grew smaller by degrees and 

 beautifully less. 



If, then, there are waters in which the brook-trout or the 

 rainbow-trout will not thrive, do not hesitate to aid in the 

 further distribution of the Black Bass by introducing that 

 desirable species. It is easily done, and success is already 

 assured. You have only to look to the Potomac, the Sus- 

 quehannah, the Delaware and many other streams for evi- 

 dence of its rapid increase in new waters. 



The Black Bass is excelled by no other fish that swims 

 for gameness, and among fresh-water species by but one, 

 the white-fish, for the table. And, furthermore, he will not 

 eat the spawn of his mate, nor that of his fellows' mates. 

 His natural food is the crawfish and the minnow ; he prefers 

 them, and they are easily procured. On them he will wax 

 and grow fat, increase and multiply. The man who alleges 

 that he depopulates the streams of valuable food fishes, or 

 asserts that he " kills for the love of it," has never looked 

 into the mouth of the Bass with his eyes open. 



