BLACK BASS FISHING-. 307 



life, which, when unfolded, will prove that he is not unregarded by 

 Him who made the great whales and the fishes of the sea. 



" His mouth is paved with large, flat, rough bones, or teeth; like 

 those of the sea fishes that root up and devour the hardest testacese ; 

 and 1 have little doubt but that the naturalist who watches him 

 narrowly, will one of these days detect him crushing and consuming 

 the Uni and Anadontas— the fresh clams of our muddy flats and 

 sandy bars. 



" He bites at the worm, the Minnow, the Chub, the Lobster, and 

 makes good play with the line, though he gives in more quickly than 

 the Bass. An experienced angler can generally distinguish his bite 

 and his resistance — but the most knowing ones are sometimes taken 

 in, and think him Bass until he is fairly brought to view. 



" When you have caught him, let any one who will accept him 

 have him ; and take to thyself no merit for the gift. His meat is 

 more like leather than fish or flesh. It is a common saying, that the 

 more you cook him the tougher he becomes ; and I am not aware that 

 he is ever eaten raw. But, some people do eat him, and profess to 

 like him ; they must have stupendous powers of mastication and diges- 

 tion. I have been told that, roasted whole in the ashes, just as he 

 comes from the water, he is savory and tender — sed credat Judceus ! 

 I once did eat him, prepared as follows : — He was split through the 

 back, put upon the gridiron, there grilled enough to cook a side of 

 pork ; his flesh was removed from the skin, boned, chopped up into 

 dice, probably with a cleaver, and stewed with milk, butter, pepper 

 and salt. 1 must say that, though it was meat of great tenacity, and 

 might well be likened unto India-rubber, it had much sweetness." 



