face in the attempt to get free from the hook, and although much inferior 

 to the salmon, whether as a game or food fish, it is one of the best of 

 inland fishes. A live minnow or frog will prove a good lure in trolling or 

 casting for mascalonge. 



The admirers of the species have christened this fish " the tarpon of 

 the North," and he is sometimes called the "tiger of the fresh waters," but 

 under any title he is a valiant fighter, a bold, fierce biter, and worthy of 

 the angler's attention in the lake or out of his native element, on the ban- 

 quet board. Strong tackle and cool, skillful play are essential to success 

 in capturing the large specimens, and a forty-pounder, after furnishing a 

 ro\'al battle for a half hour or more, will grace a hall or club-room excel- 

 lently, if well mounted by a taxidermist. 



THE SEA BASS. 



" Wide off Long Island's yellow beach, 

 Where fisher's plummet scarce may reach, 

 Deep-sunken in the depths of brine, 

 Where sea-weeds all the rocks entwine, 

 Where kelp its beaded ribbon flings, 

 And the black mussel closel}' clings, 

 Atid sea-dulse their long tresses flaunt, 

 There the dark sea-bass makes his haunt." 



Fresh from the water the sea-bass is considered a good food fish, but 

 its flavor soon fails and becomes insipid. In like manner the resistance of 

 the fish against capture consists in one weak flurry, when it yields tamely 

 and comes to the surface like a dead weight. 



In coloration the sea-bass is beautiful, being dark blue, with gills of 

 scarlet tinge, the inside of mouth bright yellow, and the abdomen pale 

 blue, with spots of various shades covering the body. The fins are large, 

 and the body strong, though rather coarse in outline. The sea -bass is not 

 abundant in northern waters, though it was in former years caught in large 

 numbers along the coast of New York, New Jersej' and Massachusetts. 

 In weight the sea-bass runs from one pound to three pounds. It inhabits 

 the deep water, is a bottom feeder, and is usually caught, in northern re- 

 sorts, during October or early in November. The flood-tide is the best 

 for sea-bass fishing, and sandworms and clams are favorite baits. 



