INTRODUCTION 



among game-fishes, the Brook Trout. There are 

 some characteristic features, however, about the 

 basses, which enhance the interest attached to their 

 study, and which should not be omitted from this 

 preliminary sketch. The marine basses and their 

 fresh-water allies will be presented by the author 

 of this Introduction. 



The striped bass, huge as it is, starts from a 

 very small beginning: before fertilization its egg 

 is smaller than that of the shad, increases greatly 

 in size after fertilization, and changes from a beau- 

 tiful light green to a pale color. Spawning takes 

 place from April to June, either in the rivers or 

 in brackish waters of bays and sounds. The num- 

 ber of eggs is enormous, and yet our waters are 

 nowhere overstocked with the fish, showing that 

 there are many natural as well as artificial checks 

 upon their undue increase. The spawning-grounds 

 in North Carolina have been located, and the con- 

 ditions necessary to successful artificial hatching 

 are understood. There is no reason why this noble 

 fish should not be started at least on the way to 

 multiplication; and, unless unforeseen natural ob- 

 stacles intervene, fish-culture should soon score 

 another brilliant success. 



The sea-bass, sometimes called blackfish, or 

 black sea-bass in New York, black Will in the 

 Middle States, black perch in Massachusetts, and 

 rock-bass at New Bedford, ranges along the coast 



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