GENERAL REMARKS. 11 



fairly swarms in the upper central portion of North 

 America. 



In all the lakes, large and small, that dimple the 

 rugged surface of Canada ; in the sheets of pure 

 water embosomed in the gentle swells of the west- 

 ern prairies ; in those inland seas that are enveloped 

 by our extensive territory; and in the numerous 

 rivers of the west the black bass is found by his 

 ardent admirers. 



From the confines of Labrador, throughout the 

 Canadas, in British America, the Western States, 

 and far beyond the Mississippi, there is scarcely a 

 stretch of water, whether it be the rapids of the St. 

 Lawrence, the sluggish bays of Lakes Ontario and 

 Erie, the cold depths of Huron and Superior, or the 

 lakelets of the interior, that does not abound with 

 this splendid fish. 



In dull weedy bays he becomes lazy, ugly, and 

 ill-flavored ; but in cold or rapid water, or upon 

 stony bottom, he acquires a vigor of body and ex- 

 cellence of flavor that place him in the first rank of 

 piscatorial prizes. 



Although not abundant, if even indigenous in the 

 Middle States, he has been extensively introduced ; 

 and finding many of the clear, transparent, rocky, 

 eastern ponds admirably adapted to his health and 

 propagation, he is populating waters that have here- 

 tofore produced little besides perch and sun-fish. 

 By a fortunate provision of nature, most ponds that 

 are not suited to trout are favorable to black 

 bass ; and being a hardy fish, able to endure long 



