64 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Sub-class Teleostei. Percoid^. 



ers subdivided into two distinct fins ; the anterior portion, or ante- 

 rior fin, as the case may be, being spinous,- — that is, composed of 

 bony or rigid rays. The anal fin has a variable number of spiny 

 rays in its anterior margin, but in a few cases they are wanting. 

 The caudal is either truncated posteriorly or more or less emargi- 

 nated. Ventrals are inserted posteriorly to the base of the pector- 

 als or composed of an external stoutish spine or fine soft dichoto- 

 mized rays. 



Genera. The following genera belong to this family : 



Genus Perca, Guv. 



Gen. Char. Two dorsal fins distinctly separated ; the rays of the first spinous, 

 those of the second flexible ; tongue smooth, teeth in both jaws, in front of the vo- 

 mer, and on the palatine bones ; preoperculum notched below, serrated on the pos- 

 terior edge ; operculum bony, ending in a flattened point directed backwards. 

 There are branchiostegous rays. Scales roughened, and not easily detached. 



Perca Flavescens, Mild tell. 

 Brindle perch. Yellow perch. 



One of the most common and abundant of the fishes in our 

 ponds and lakes, and one which every schoolboy recognizes as 

 among the trophies of his earliest fishing expeditions, is the yellow 

 or brindle perch. The perches breed in great numbers in the fresh 

 waters throughout the State, preferring sand}^ bottoms and clear 

 v>^atcrs to any others. They take bait readily, and ofier fine sport 

 to anglers, especially in the months of July and August, when they 

 congregate together in great numbers in the comparatively shoal 

 and warm waters of the ponds where they breed. In winter they 

 are sometimes caught, but they do not bite so readily as in sum- 

 mer. They are in the colder parts of the season most generally 

 found near where warm streams enter the ponds or lakes and 

 thereby furnish water of warmer temperature. They associate 

 freely with other fish, which very seldom molest them. Indeed, 

 they oftentimes take entire possession of their favorite grounds, to 

 the exclusion of larger and stronger fish. Even the voracious 

 pickerel, at times, has to give way to them, when they dash in 

 among them, the sharp spines of their front dorsals erect and 

 scraping their bellies as they scoot under and around with great 



