THE RUFFE 69 



writings of Mr. Aflalo, who has made a special study of sea- 

 fishing: — 



" I have long thought, though it must be admitted that 

 I can quote no successes in support of the notion, that the 

 true secret of successful bass-fishing will be solved from a 

 sloping beach, so often have I seen large bass after an August 

 gale feeding just behind the rollers in the surf, where it was 

 impossible to get at them from either boat or pier. Unfor- 

 tunately, at the very season when the bass come so close 

 in shore, the beach is crowded with holiday folk, whose 

 immediate neighbourhood the peaceful angler shuns at any 

 cost, even that of an empty creel. I do not, however, despair 

 of finding one of these days, in the early morning, the right 

 combination of bass feeding close in shore and a beach with 

 plenty of elbow-room. So far it is a dream." * 



It behoves the angler in the moment of success to be 

 wary in handling his captive, for the bass carries some sharp 

 spines, and is capable of inflicting very painful stabs in its 

 vigorous struggling. 



The Ruffe^ or Pope {^cerina cernua) 



Fin Formula. 

 Dorsal: 13 to 15 spines, 12 rays. 

 Pectoral : 13 rays. 

 Ventral : i spine, 5 rays. 

 Anal : 2 spines, 5 or 6 rays. 

 Caudal : 1 7 rays. 



Teeth. 



All villiform, without 

 canines ; on the vomer, 

 but none on the palatal 

 bones and tongue. 



It is one of the enigmas of evolution how it has come to 

 pass that certain animals, obviously offshoots from a common 

 type, should be found inhabiting the same region, feeding on 

 the same food, and practising similar habits, and yet main- 

 taining their generic individuality. Thus the ruffe, or pope, 



* Sea Fish, by F. G. Aflalo. The Anglers' Library. London : Law- 

 rence & Bullen, 1898. 



