194 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



The Gray Pike Pearch, Lucioperca Grise.a^ would seem to be o, 

 permanent variety of the above, if not a distinct species ; it differs 

 from it in size, never exceeding ten or twelve inches, in color and 

 several other important particulars. It is found in the same waters 

 with the preceding species, and is equally prized as an article of food. 



Richardson's Pike Pearch, the Canadian Sandre, Lucioperca 

 Canadensis, is another small distinct species, found in the river St. 

 Lawrence. Its principal characteristic difference lies in the fact that 

 the operculum has five acute spines on the lower margin. In color 

 it is dark olive green above, and whitish beneath, with a few pale- 

 yellow spots on the sides below the lateral line. It does not exceed 

 fourteen inches in length. It is, like the others of its species, esteemed 

 an excellent fish on the table, and, being a free biter and hai'd puller, 

 aff'ords good sport to the angler. It is not, however, of so great im- 

 portance that I care to enter into a more minute description. 



