76 LAEE SUPERIOR. 



a pond-hole in the rock, where their appearance and 

 motions could be studied to advantage. They were 

 not handsome fish, with their broad backs, deep 

 bodies, and thick heads ; their extended fins were 

 peculiar and characteristic, and their general form, 

 fierce red eyes, and large mouths were more indica- 

 tive of ferocity than grace. Those that we opened, 

 although it was in the month of July, were heavy 

 with spawn, and the ova had the appearance of 

 being almost ready for deposit, — suggesting the pos- 

 sibility that these fish diflEer from those of the eastern 

 country in their spawning season. It is hardly con- 

 ceivable that they would carry their eggs till Apiil 

 or May of the ensuing year, in which month black 

 bass spawn elsewhere ; and if not, their habits must 

 be entirely dissimilar. 



The long walk through the sand and mud had 

 made our shoes rather unpresentable, restoring along 

 the edges the original russet of the leather ; and as 

 he was about retiring, Don suggested to me the pro- 

 priety in our next trip of bringing with us blacking 

 and brushes. 



I'liiE-rEiioii. 



