344 , THE BLACK BASS. 



hooked a fish of this kind which weighed forty-five 

 pounds; it made no more resistance than would be 

 made by a large bunch of seaweed. 



Besides these there is the Sheep-Head, a species of 

 perch, which, though its proper home is salt-water, 

 sometimes ascends rivers a little wav ^T^th the tide. 

 There is also an ugly-looking Flounder (the Stingaree), 

 with a loDg whip-like tail, at the end .of which is a 

 venomous bone T\dth which it sometimes wounds its 

 captor, or an incautious bather who may ventmre 

 within its reach. For this reason it is always killed 

 when opportunity ofi'ers, and sometimes eaten. Plenty 

 of eels may be caught, though they are seldom 

 eaten, on account of a prejudice against their snake- 

 like appearance. 



The Oyster-beds are very numerous, and produce 

 most delicious oysters. A large kind of Shrimp, or 

 Prawn, is found about the tidal rivers. These not only 

 serve as bait, but are very nice eating, after having 

 been boiled for about five minutes, with a little salt. 

 The best way to catch them is to take a coarse bag 

 and stretch the mouth of it bv means of a cane or vine- 

 hoop, put in it a little Indian-corn meal, and sink it 

 with a weight, having of course a string attached to it. 

 In half-an-hour's time I have found these bags nearly 

 full of the little creatures. 



Of fresh-water fish the Bass is the most sporting, and 

 therefore stands at the head of the list. By the by. 



