191 



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 pound 

 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 then- 

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

 ing memselves 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." 



