946 FISHES — CENTRARCHID^. 



of time was the Labrus salmoides of Lacepede. As shown by Dr. Hen- 

 shall, there is no doubt that this notice referred to the large mouthed 

 species, which being also a JUicropterus, must be called Micropterus 

 salmoides. 



A full discussion of these questions may be found in the " Book of the 

 Black Bass," by Dr. J. A. Henshall, published as these sheets are pass- 

 ing through the press, to which admirable memoir the reader is referred.* 



The confusion existing in regard to the proper vernacular name of the 

 two species of Black Bass is portrayed in the following article, from the 

 pen of Dr. Henshall : 



The genns Mioropterus, Black Bass, includes but two species : Mioropteru$ salmoides 

 (Lac.) GUI, the small-mouthed Bass, and Micropterus pallidus (Kaf.) Gill and Jordan, the 

 large-mouthed Black Bass, or, as it is sometimes called, the Oswego Bass. Possibly, no 

 genus of fishes has been the occasion of so much oonfcsion, scientifically and popularly, 

 as the Black Bass. This is owing, no doubt, to its extensive habitat and wide-spread 

 distribution ; the original habitat of both species being the great basin of the St. Law- 

 rence, the whole Mississippi Valley, or almost the entire range of country lying between 

 the Alleghany and the Kocky Mountains, and the South Atlantic States from Virginia 

 to Florida. It would naturally be expecttd, in view of this extraordinary and expansive 

 habitat, to find differences of conformation, color, and habits; indeed, it is surprising 

 that the variations are not more marked, and the number of species consequently 

 greater when one considers the great natural differences and conditions of the numerous 

 waters and varieties of climate to which this genus is native. We find, however, that 

 the most striking difference is in color, which will run from almost black through all 

 the shades of slate, green, olive, and yellow to almost white, and, indeed, these varia- 

 tions in color can be found in almost any one State, and to a great extent in any one 

 stream or lake, at different seasatis of the year. Slight dissimilarities of contour and 

 some divertity of habits also exist. But all of these differences obtain, not only with 

 regard to Black Bass, but to most other genera of fresh water fishes, and depend on 

 well known natural causes. I lived for ten years in Wisconsin, where there were twenty 

 lakes abounding in Black Bass within a radius of eight miles of my residence, and from 

 close and constant observation of the characteristics of the Black Bass in them, I conld 

 almost invariably tell upon being shown a string of bass in what particular lake they 

 had been caught. 



Without going into a specific and detailed analysis of the two species of Black Bass, 

 it will be sufficient to say, that, as a general rule, the small-mouthed Bass is more 

 trimly built and of a darker or more sombre hue than the other variety, where they both 

 inhabit the same water; the large-mouthed Bass being rather a coarse looking fish, with 

 a much larger mouth, larger scales, thicker through the shoulders, with more depth of 

 body, more pendulous belly, and growing to a larger size, with the color more inclined 



* Book I of the | Black Bass, | comprising its complete, | scientific, and life history, | 

 together with a practical treatise on | angling and fly fishing, | and a full description 

 of 1 tools, tackle, and implements | by | James A, Henshall, M.D. | "lam, sir, a 

 Irother of the angler."— Iz^ak Waiton | Fully illustrated | Cincinnati | Robert Clarke & 

 Co. I 1881. 



