122 AMERICAN GAME. 
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covered with large scales of a metallic or nacrous lustre, 
varying from reddish brown, with cerular and greenish 
reflections on the back, to the brightest silver on the 
belly. It has eight, or sometimes nine longitudinal lines, 
the fourth of which corresponds with the lateral line, 
the first four running through the whole length of the 
fish, the others becoming fainter and gradually dying 
away, as they extend towards the tail. Heisa severe fish 
of prey and very voracious, and is accordingly equipped 
with a very powerful system of teeth, and his tongue is 
rough, like a file, with innumerable rows of small thorn- 
like teeth. Of all species, which may properly be called 
sea-fish, the Striped Bass is, perhaps, that which most 
affects fresh waters, for at an early season in the spring, 
so soon as, or almost before they are clear of ice, he 
begins to run up the rivers in pursuit of the smelt, to 
which he is a cruel enemy and persecutor, and of the shad, 
which he follows assiduously to their spawning places, 
making sad havoc with the roe of the latter. _ 
Either of these, therefore—the smelt or spearling, or 
any very white and glistening fish, or even a piece of 
polished pearl or tin as a trolling bait, or in squidding 
with a hand-line—and the shad roe, potted and salted so 
as to preserve it, and attached to the hook with a needle- 
full of yellow silk, as a bottom bait, in rapid scours over 
gravelly ground, will be found exceedingly fatal baits. 
It is worthy of remark, however, that except in the 
spring season, and in rivers up which shad and smelt 
