Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume II.djvu/389

 BASS BASSANO 369 and on the sides with the same marks on light green or yellow. The sides of the head and body are of an iridescent white, the belly sil- very white. Like the preceding fish, it has not been scientifically distinguished or described. Its anal fin is said to be extremely long, and its abdomen consequently very small. Wherever the large-mouthed bass is found this fish is Rock Bass (Centarchus aeneus). plentiful. It rarely exceeds 10 inches in length and 2 Ibs. in weight. 10. The rock bass (C. aeneus). Its color is dark coppery yellow, banded with irregular darker clouds and green reflections ; fins bluish green ; teeth small, re- curved, on the maxillaries, vomer, palatals, and pharyngeals. The dorsal fin has 11 spines, 12 soft rays; the pectorals, 14 soft rays; the ventrals, 1 spine, 5 soft rays ; the anal, 6 spines, 11 soft rays; the cau- dal, 17 rays. This fish, originally peculiar to the basin of the St. Lawrence, has come down the Erie canal and become common in the Hudson river, where it is freely ta- ken. It rarely exceeds a pound in weight, but is an excellent fish on the table, and affords admirable sport to the angler. 11. The growl- er (grystes salmonoei- de), generally called the white salmon in the southern states, closely resembles the black bass in form, but grows larger. It is of a deep bluish green above, lighter below ; when young has 25 or 30 longitudinal dark bands, which grow paler by age. The dorsal fin has 10 spines, 14 soft rays; the pectorals, 16 soft rays; the ventrals, 1 spine, 5 soft rays ; the anal, 3 spines, 12 soft rays; the caudal, 17 soft rays. This also is said to be a bold biter and a good fish. With this species ends, so far as is yet ascertained, the list of the bass family proper to American waters, although it is probable that in the course of time future varieties may be dis- covered in the vast network of lakes and rivers which have not yet been scientifically explored through one fourth of their extent. BASS, or Basswood. See LINDEN. BASS, George A., an English navigator, died early in the 19th century. He was a surgeon in the navy, and made in 1796 with Matthew Flin- ders his first two voyages of discovery on the coast of New South Wales in a boat only 8 ft. long, which they called the Tom Thumb. In 1797 the government despatched him on a third voyage, during which he discovered in 1798 the strait that bears his name, between Tasmania and New South Wales. He was soon after sent again, with Flinders, with directions to sail around Tasmania and examine and pro- ject the coast. His labors greatly increased the progress of colonization, but he died unhon- ored and unrequited for his arduous and ad- venturous efforts. See " Voyage to Terra Aus- tralis" (2 vols., London, 1814), by Flinders. BASSAJVO, a town of Italy, province of Pia- cenza, on the left bank of the Brenta, 31 m. N. by W. of Padua and 15 N. E. of Vicenza ; pop. about 13,000. The fine bridge over the Brenta built by Palladio was swept away in 1748, and restored by Ferracino. The old walls of Bassano are clad with ivy ; the sidewalks are paved with marble found in the vicinity, and the streets with granite and other materials. The partly ruined castle of Ezzelino in the centre of the town is now occupied by the archbishop. The museum in the piazza San Francisco con- tains an extensive library, a picture gallery, and collections of coins and rare engravings. The palace of the podesta contains frescoes and statuary. Near the town are the villa Rez- zonico, famous for its extensive view and for works of art, and the villa Parolini, with a botanical garden. The town contains a num- ber of convents; a gymnasium, and about 30 churches, several of which have paintings ex-