54 Book of the Black Bass. 



Then, again, in some waters, no distinct coloring is ap- 

 parent, the fish presenting merely a pale or faded appear- 

 ance ; especially is this likely to be the case in large streams 

 much subject to overflow, and whose waters are often 

 muddy or discolored. Hence, as may be surmised, color 

 is not an important factor in the differentiation Of the 

 black bass species. 



While some have no distinct markings, others are marked 

 by dark, maculated, transverse or vertical bars ; some, again, 

 by longitudinal or lateral bands ; and still others by mottled 

 lines, dusky spots, or finger marks. Usually, when bass 

 are so marked, the mottled bands run lengthwise in the 

 large-mouth species, while the small-mouth bass is marked 

 by transverse bars or finger marks; but these distinctions 

 are not infallible. The small-mouth bass of the extreme 

 southwest exhibits, sometimes, several mottled lines run- 

 ning lengthwise along the series of scales. 



After being taken out of the water, the colors and mark- 

 ings of the fish change materially; usually, the brighter 

 colors fade rapidly, while the dusky spots, bars, or bands 

 become more distinct; this change of color is more fre- 

 quently observed in the small-mouth species. Sometimes, 

 however, the markings will disappear, and the sides of the 

 fish will assume a uniform coloration. 



Then, again, the colors of the black bass frequently 

 change with each season of the year; and there is, more- 

 over, always a marked difference in the colors and" mark- 

 ings of the fish at different stages of its growth. In the 

 young, the colors are brighter and the markings more dis- 

 tinct than in the adult fish, for it is not unusual for the 

 latter to become almost obsolete with age. 



The fins are likewise subject to variation in coloring and 

 markings; they may be either dusky or greenish, reddish 



