FISHES. 



231 



the habits are the same, but they may be readily distinguished by attention to a few 

 characters, and these few arc co-ordinated with a number of others. 



The large-mouthed blaclc-bass {M. salmoicles) has the mouth deejsly cleft, so that 

 the maxillary of the adult extends back of the orbit ; the scales are quite large, there 

 being sixty-five to seventy in the lateral line, and the number of rows between the 

 lateral line and the back is only seven or eight. The distribution of this form is very 

 wide, and it extends from the Britrish provinces southward in one direction to Florida, 

 and in another direction into Mexico. The small-mouthed black-bass (31. dolomieu) 

 has the mouth comparatively small, and the maxillary of the adult does not extend 

 beyond the orbit ; the scales are considerably smaller, there being seventy-two to 

 seventy-five along the lateral line, and as many as ten or twelve rows between the 

 lateral line and back. It does not extend north of the region of the great lakes, and 

 is not known to reach farther south than South Carolina and Arkansas. In most 

 places it is associated with the large-mouthed species. It does not, as a rule, reach as 

 large a size as its relative. 



The black-basses, like the other members of the family, prepare nests and take 





Fig. 132. — Micropterus salmoides, large-mouthed black-bass. 



zealous care of the eggs and young. The sexes begin to pair about the commencement 

 of hot weather. They then select suitable spots for their nests, " usually upon a gravelly 

 or sandy bottom, or on rocky ledges, in water from eighteen inches to three feet in 

 depth in rivers, and from three to six feet deep in lakes and ponds ; and, if possible, 

 adjacent to deep water, or patches of aquatic plants, to which the parent fish retire 

 if disturbed. The nests are circular, saucer-like depressions, varying from one to three 

 feet " in diameter, or about twice the length of the fish. They are " formed by the bass, 

 by fanning and scouring from the pebbles all sand, silt, and vegetable debris, by means 

 of their tails and fins, and by removing larger obstacles with their mouths. This gives 

 to the beds a bright, clean, and white appearance, which in clear water can be seen at 

 the distance of several score yards." When the nests are thus prepared, the females de- 

 posit their eggs on the bottom, " usually in rows, which are fecundated by the male, and 

 become glued to the pebbles or sticks contained therein. The eggs are hatched in 

 from one to two weeks, depending on the temperature of the water, but usually in 

 from eight to ten days." 



During the period of maturation, " the nests are carefully guarded by the parent 



