194 



THE BLACK BASSE, 



There is so great a difference, both in shape and color, be 

 tween the fish of this size and those of two or more pounds 

 weight, that a stranger would never take them to be of the 

 same species. These small fish are very similar in shape to 

 the blue-fish of the salt water, while those of the larger size 

 spread in width as they increase in size, so that a fish of two 

 and a half to three pounds, is of a shape between a black-fish, 

 or tautog, and the famous sheepshead. In color they differ 

 also greatly: the small basse being of a light dull greenish 

 color, while the larger grow darker as they increase in size, 

 the largest being nearly black on the back, and of a very dark 

 brownish green on the sides. The younger gentry, above 

 described, are not to be despised on account of their size, 

 for when taken with a light trout rod, they will be found to 

 be a fine vigorous fish, and when in their temerity they seize 

 the large fly, on feeling the hook, they will, true to their 

 nature, make the leap, in imitation of their sires, thus show- 

 ing tnemselves to be game fish. I have known them to leap 

 three times while reeling in the long trolling line, whereas 

 the larger gentry rarely leap more than once." 



