PERCHES. Oi 



differ considerably in subordinate points. Five 

 leading types are seen to subsist, around which 

 so many groups, called Sub-Families, are arranged. 

 These we shall briefly notice. 



The true Perches {Percina) have two distinct 

 dorsal fins, with the membrane which connects 

 the rays semi-transparent and nearly colourless. 

 The pectorals and ventrals are obtuse, or some- 

 what rounded ; the former contain each five soft 

 rays ; the latter are placed beneath the pectorals. 

 The form of the body is oblong ; the scales are 

 comparatively large ; the mouth is wide, and fur- 

 nished w^th short and small teeth much crowded, 

 without any larger pointed teeth, resembling 

 canines, at the sides. The genus Lucioperca, as 

 its name, signifying Pike-perch, expresses, has the 

 structure of a Perch with the form and appear- 

 ance, and even the ferocity of a Pike ; while the 

 Diploprion, of the coast of Java, and still more 

 the Enoplosus of Australia, might readily be mis- 

 taken for a true ChcBtodon, having not only the 

 short, high, compressed form of that genus, with 

 its tall fins, but the small mouth, and delicate 

 teeth, and even the characteristic colours and 

 markings of Chcetodon, the former being yellovi', 

 with a black vertical band through the eye, and 

 another across the body, and the latter silvery 

 white, with seven or eight vertical bands. Yet 

 in each case the fins are destitute of scales, the 

 gill-plates are spinous, and all the essential 

 characters of true Perches, are exhibited. 



The Serrans {Serran'ma), a very numerous sub- 

 family, are distinguished by having the two dor- 

 sals united into a single fin, the place of the 

 division being marked, however, by a depression 



