BASS

A number of fishes of different families bear the name of ‘‘ba ,’’ both with and without qualification. The following are rated by American fishermen as among the most important:. | The Small-mouthed black ba , or simply ‘‘black ba ’’ (Micropterus dolomieu), of fresh waters, widely distributed and one of the finest of game fishes. It averages from a half pound to five pounds. (See the color-page facing 534.) The Large-mouthed black ba , or ‘‘straw ba ’? (MW. salmoides), also of fresh water and almost equally famous. It generally weighs from two to four pounds with a maximum of about eight. The White, or ‘‘silver,’? ba (Roccus chrysops) of the Great Lakes and upper Mi i ippi Valley, attaining a weight of one to two pounds and a length of twelve to eighteen inches. The Calico ba , or ‘‘strawberry ba ’’ (Pomozis sparoides), of the same waters —a sma!l fish, averaging le than a half pound in weight, and of mottled appearance —dark green on silvery-green.;, The Channel ba , or ‘‘red drum’’ (Scienops ocellatus), of southern rivers and coasts—large, of silvery-grey, with (generally) reddish tints and wavy brown stripes. It may reach forty pounds or so in weight but its flesh then is over-coarse. Under ten pounds it is moderately good eating. The Black sea-ba (Centropristes striatus). of Atlantic waters from Cape Ann to North Florida, averaging from one to two pounds, up to five. (See the color-page facing 470.) The Striped ba , or ‘‘rockfish’’ (Roccus line at us), found along the entire length of our eastern coast, and running from half a pound to seventy-five or more for some huge specimens. The California white sea-ba (Cynoscion nobilis), of the genus which includes the North Atlantic weakfishes, frequently weighing fifty pounds and oceasionally close upon a hundred.