THE MINOR BASSES (BLACK-BASS 

 FAMILY) 



Points of Difference between Bass and Sunfish 



r "1 HERE are four additional sunfishes that 

 come under the general and common 

 name of bass, the rock-bass, the war- 

 mouth bass, the crappie, and the straw- 

 berry-bass; yet there are only three fresh- water 

 fishes (one of which is popularly known as white 

 perch) that are classed by the scientists as true 

 basses (Serranidce), which classification brings 

 them closely in anatomical similarity with the Cen- 

 trar^idce, the sunfishes. If you should chance to 

 catch one of these classed fishes and feel uncertain 

 as to its being a sunfish or a true bass, by simply 

 putting your finger in its mouth and feeling its 

 teeth your doubts will vanish. If it is a true bass 

 its teeth will be pointed or conical ; if a sunfish they 

 will be slender and crowded into soft velvety bands. 

 In addition, the lateral lines of the first-named 

 fishes do not extend to the tail-fin, that of the 

 others touch it. 



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