COLORATION OF THE BLACK BASS. 153 



well known ; a familiar example being the common gold- 

 fish, which in early youth is black or dark colored, and 

 only assumes its beautiful golden hue at maturity. 



During the breeding season of fishes their colors become 

 much heightened, but they lose their brightness and 

 brilliancy in many cases when the season is over. A sal- 

 mon fresh-run from the sea is justly considered the most 

 beautiful of fishes, but after the spawning season there is 

 none more sorry and ill-looking. Darwin mentions some 

 very interesting particulars, among which, that the pike, 

 especially the male, during the breeding season, exhibits 

 colors exceedingly intense, brilliant and iridescent. 



Another striking instance out of many is afforded by 

 the male stickleback, which is described by Mr. Warring- 

 ton (England) as being then beautiful beyond description : 

 "The back and eyes of the female, on the other hand, are 

 the most splendid green, having a metallic luster like the 

 green feather of humming-birds. The throat and belly 

 are of a bright crimson, the back of an ashy green, and 

 the whole fish appears as though it was somewhat trans- 

 lucent, and glowed with an internal incandescence. After 

 the breeding season, these colors all change; the throat 

 and belly become of a paler red, the back more green, and 

 the glowing tints subside." 



The well-known and beautiful spring, or breeding 

 dresses of many of our darters and minnows, are common 

 illustrations of the influence of the breeding season upon 

 the change of color in fishes. 



