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baked and on the table it proved to be so old that the flesh, though fat, was 

 absolutely strong, sinuous and unpalatable, and all its bones, especially the 

 rib bones, instead of being round with square sides, were flat, heavy and 

 strong, and resembled a sheep's ribs in shape and condition. I believe that 

 bass was forty or fifty years of age. 



I hope before the season of 1899 closes to be able to give you such'addi- 

 tional proof of the truth of my theory — which theory is supported by living 

 facts, as will enable you to set at rest all contention on tlie subject of the 

 growth of the black bass. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, 



Jas. R. B. VanCleave. 



