CHAPTER XI. 



GRYSTES MEGASTOMA J OR, LARGE-MOUTH BLACK BASS. 



This fish has been identified with the com- 

 mon Black Bass, (Grystes Fasdatus]) but is by no 

 means the same fish, differing in many respects, 

 both in its habits and physical structure, and 

 has not been described in any work on American 

 fishes, so far as I can learn. 



The great distinguishing feature of this Bass, 

 is its immense mouth, which has induced me 

 to call it Grystes Megastoma, or large-mouthed 

 Bass. 



In its general form, it resembles the common 

 Black Bass, though somewhat thicker. The head 

 is much larger in. proportion to its size, and if 

 a vertical line be drawn, passing through the 

 center of the eye, we shall find that the end 



