194 
THE BLACK BASSE. 
There is so great a difference, both in shape and color, be- 
tween the fish of this size and those of two or more pounds 
weight, that a stranger would never take them to be of the 
same species. These small fish are very similar hi shape to 
the blue-fish of the salt water, while those of the larger size 
spread in width as they increase in size, so that a fish of two 
and a half to three pounds, is of a shape between a black-fish, 
or tautog, and the famous sheepshead. In color they differ 
also greatly: the small basse being of alight dull greenish 
color, while the larger grow darker as they increase in size, 
the largest being nearly black on the back, and of a very dark 
brownish green on the sides. Tho younger gentry, above 
described, are not to be despised on account of their size, 
for when taken with a light trout rod, they will be found to 
be a fine vigorous fish, and when in their temerity they seize 
the large fly, on feeling the hook, they will, true to then- 
nature, make the leap, in imitation of their sires, thus show- 
ing themselves to bo game fish. I have known them to leap 
three times while reeling in the long trolling line, whereas 
tho larger gentry rarely leap more than once.” 
