304 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



tical bars across the body, and a dark blotch 

 at the base of the caudal fin; the body has 

 eight narrow bright blue longitudinal stripes, 

 which are more distinct above, and paler below ; 

 the head is yellow, with several wavy blue stripes 

 below the eye and several between the eyes; 

 the upper fins have blue and yellow stripes, and 

 the caudal fin has yellow spots surrounded by 

 bluish markings. 



It frequents sandy shoals, and also rocky 

 shores, feeding on small fishes and crustaceans. 

 It is a good pan-fish, growing to about a foot 

 in length, but usually to six or eight inches. 

 The same tackle and baits used for the hinds, 

 coney, and nigger-fish will also answer well for 

 the sand-fish, which consists of black-bass rod, 

 braided linen line, size F, hooks No. i or i-o, and 

 suitable sinker and swivel. It is a good game- 

 fish for its size on the light tackle just mentioned, 

 and is well worth a trial on account of its beauty, 

 and excellence for the table, even if its gameness 

 is not considered. 



While engaged in a scientific expedition to 

 Florida many years ago, my vessel ran aground 

 one afternoon in Barnes Sound, southwest of 

 Biscayne Bay. The bottom was a sandy marl 



