BIOLOGICAL in 



between ; older specimens almost uniformly dull green- 

 ish ; three dark oblique stripes across opercle and cheek ; 

 dark blotch on opercle. 



Small-mouthed Black Bass 



Similar in form to large-mouth bass. Mouth 

 smaller, the maxillary terminating in front of posterior 

 edge of eye, except in very old specimens. About 17 

 rows of small scales on the cheeks; body scales small, 

 11-74-17. Dorsal fin less deeply notched than in 

 other species, with 10 spines and 13 to 15 rays; anal 

 with 3 spines and 12 or 13 rays. General color dull 

 golden-green, belly white ; young with dark spots along 

 sides tending to form irregular vertical bars, but never 

 a lateral band; caudal fin yellowish at base, white at 

 tip, with dark intervening area; dorsal with bronze 

 spots and dusky edge; three radiating bronze stripes 

 extending backward from eye; dusky spot on point of 

 opercle." 



If the angler will keep in mind the extent of the 

 maxillary and the number of scales on the cheeks he 

 will experience little difficulty in identifying his catch. 



LARGE MOUTHED BLACK BASS 

 (Micropterus salraoides) 



HISTORICAL 



Although the large mouthed black bass was prob- 

 ably known to the early Spanish explorers of the 

 southeastern United States, they made no mention of 

 it that I can find. The French icthyologist Lacepede 



