YELLOW PERCH OF LAKE ERIE 



217 



These changes in the LjSc ratio perhaps are shown 

 more clearly in table 3 and figure 3. It is evident 

 that the ratio of body length to scale length in the 

 Lake Erie yellow perch is determined primarily 

 by the length of the fish. 



Figure 3 is a graphic presentation of the average 

 total lengths and average scale measurements 

 shown in table 3. The straight line extenduig 

 upward from a fish length of 4.6 inches represents 

 the body -scale relation of all fish with total lengths 



greater than 4.2 inches, on the assumption that a 

 single average (1.16) describes the body-scale 

 ratio satisfactorily for all these fish. The line for 

 the average fish lengths of 2.3 to 4.6 inches was 

 drawn freehand. The line determined by the 

 average LjSc ratio (1.16) fits the data closely for 

 the fish with average total lengths of 4.6 to 8.9 

 inches. The scales of those fish with average 

 lengths of 9.4 inches and more were somewhat, 

 but not pronouncedly, smaller than would have 



< 



O 



b 



2 



10 15 



SCALE X 40 7 



Fir.URE 3. — Relation between body length and scale length in yellow perch of Lake Erie. 



2 5 



