Distinctive Features. 49 



size of scales and fins of the two species of black bass, with- 

 out reference to color, are sufficiently pronounced to enable 

 the angler to readily distinguish, by comparison, the small- 

 mouth from the large-mouth ; for these differences are con- 

 stant wherever the black bass exists, from Maine to Mexico, 

 or from Canada to Florida. To the specialist there are 

 other points of differentiation as detailed in the preceding 

 chapter. 



The late Fred Mather has humorously expressed these 

 differences in the following characteristic lines : 



" The little-mouth has little scales, 

 There's red in his handsome eye; 

 The scales extend on his vertical fins, 

 And his forehead is round and high. 



His forehead is full and high, my boys. 



And he sleeps the winter through ; 

 He likes the rocks in summer time, 



Micropterus dolomieu. 



The big-mouth has the biggest scales, 



And a pit scooped in his head; 

 His mouth is cut beyond his eye. 



In which is nary a red. 



In Ms eye is nary a red, my boys, 



But keen and well he sees; 

 He has a dark stripe on his side, 



Micropterus salmoides." 



Both species are remarkably active, muscular and vo- 

 racious, with large, hard and tough mouths ; are very bold 

 in biting, and when hooked exhibit gameness and endur- 

 ance second to no other fish. Both species give off the 

 characteristic musky odor when caught. 

 4 



