Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-10-15
Fascinating Essays ON Rods. Lines
and Hooks, and the Com
dflions that Govern
the Bfting of
Fish.

ling reader, and there are one or two
of the earlier chapters that entltle
the work to substantial recognition
on account of its scientific merit. ln-
deed, the first, chapteriis entirely de-
voted to the scientific history of the
black bass from the date f its chris
tening by Lacepede, in 1900, down to |
the present day. The; history OF the |
fish In scientific books and papers is
carefully noted and followed, and no
fewer than t.a.c.. -!.-. .-=t-- t:.
FORTY-SIx DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS
of the fish by various authors are re-
ferred to and identified. 1t is hardly |
necessary to drag the non-profession.
al reader through all these learned
wanderings, and it may be as we'll TO
start out by saying that the writer
adopts for the large-mouthed black
bass the name Micropte,Ws Salmssdes.
and for the small-mouthed black bass
the name MScropte,ess Dolomien. There
is carefully accurate description OF
each species, and most excellent lltb-
ographed plates drawn especially for
the book, from nature, by DIR. +. Il.
Copeland. A fine woodcut of the
small mouthed black bass of Michigan
appears to have been furnished by
Mr.. A. B. Leet, General Ticket Agent
of the "Great Fishing Line" "by which
name the general public will at once
recognize the Grand Rapids and IT,
diana railroad These cuts show that
the author is not alone in his admira-
ton of the gamest fish known to
American waters.
Along in chapter the author dis
courses Of the general and specific
features of his two species of bass.
He says: ....t.... .. ....a
THE MOST DISTINCTIVE FEATURE,
as between the two species, is the
cape of the mouth, which i'll tho
llarge-mouth bass seems simply enor-
nous to those who have previously
seen but the sma]l-mouth species.
The contrast in build and external
conformation of the two species Is at
once striking aud characteristic. Tho
large-mouthed bass is thicker, es-
pecially through the shoulders, deep
er in the body, with more pendn-
lous abdomen, and seems heavier
fish for it's length than the other
species, conveying the impression that
tic is the stronger and more powerful
fish, as indeed it is; while the small
mouthed bass, owing to it's trim,
slender and more graceful shape,
truly cOnvinces one that it Is the more
active and agile. a.
p,Ialhe IaheB BaJ1tt 1t ..2 il pointed int d. out that the
also the larger scales, and that the
size and shape of the fins differ some
b what III the two species, particularly
in the dorsal fin, which i'll the small
mouthed bass has the rays of the
spinous portion higher and more un
form in size, rendering this flu hi gh'
er, not SO arching aud with shai
lower notch than in the large-moutb
ed FORM The differences in form
cape of mouth and size of scales ant
fins of the two species of black bas'
without reference to color, are sutfi
GENTLY pronounced to enable tn
angler to readily determine by com
iparison the small-mouthed from tn
large bass for these differ
ences are constant wherever the blac
bass exists, from Maine to Mexico o
from Canada to Florida. Both specie
are remarkably active, muscular an
vivacious, with large, hard and toug
mouths, are very bold in biting, All
when booked exhibit gameness am
endurance second to no other tisi
Both species give off the same cha
acteristic musky odor when caugh
THE CoLORATION OF THE BLACK BIAS
is handled by the writer in an int
esting way.
The external appearance of til
black bass. as exhibited in the colo
and markings. differs SO greatly an
lxr; a n n
country that it would be useless
describe them minutely in spec
men from any given locality tor
the veruacular names of fishes a
usually bestowed with reference
the outward peculiarities of colorin
this has already given rise TO mu
confusion in naming the species. Th
they are called black, green or yello
bass, respectively, i'll different Sc
tions of the United States, and d
without reason, for black, green al
yellow are the predominating prim
ry colors of the two species, thou:
those cOlors arc often toned down
any of the intermediate shades wi
plumbeous, olivaceous or ochreO
tlnts.
The color, however, is always dar
est on the back, with gradual sha
ing or paling toward the belly
abdomen, which is always white,
whltlsh. Where two species OF bla
bass are common TO the same stret
or lake the small is gener
ly the darkest i'll color, though this
by no means all invariable rule,
in other waters the small-mouth
bass may be of q lighter paler
at, than the other species-usually y
!. 1lowish-ollve or yellowish-whi hite,
often pale green-while the lar
mouthed bass will be of dark. gre
coloration, and sometimes On
dusky. Then again in some wat
no distinct coloring is apparent,
fish presenting nearly pale or fat
appearance; especially is this ik
to be the case in large streams mi
subject to overflow and whose wat
are often muddy or discolored. Hen
as may be surmised, coler Is not
important fact i'll the differentiat
of the black bass species. While 80
have no distinct markings others
marked by dark, maculated ira
verse or vertical bars; some again
longitudinal or lateral bands
still others by mottled lines, du
spots or finger marks. Usually W
bass are SO marked the notified ba
run lengthwise Ill the large mout
, species, while the small
Is marked by transverse bars
fiuger marks; but these distinct
are not infallible, for the sn
i. mouthed bass Of the southern st;
often exhibit well defined mot
lines running lengthwise along
series of scales. After being ta
out of the water the colors and IN
n,v ings
wife, 1'
laily generally the brighter colors
ever rapidly, while the dusky Spots,