62 ACANTHOPTERYGII. — PERCADiE. 



however, when drawn from the water, is deter- 

 mined and almost ferocious, particularly when the 

 high and spinous dorsal-fin is stiffly erected. 



The excellence of the Perch, as a table fish, 

 is generally acknowledged ; in this respect, per- 

 haps, it is exceeded by none of our fluviatile species, 

 with the exception of the Trout and the Salmon. 

 Perch of five pounds are not uncommon, and they 

 have been known to attain even double this 

 weight. A Fish of large size needs good tackle 

 as well as skill in the angler, for it is powerful 

 in proportion to its size. When Perch run large, 

 a minnow, roach, or gudgeon is a successful 

 bait; but the more usual baits are worms and 

 gentles ; fresh-water shrimps are much used by 

 those who fish for Perch in the docks of London, 

 where these Pishes are both fine and plentiful. 

 In still water, as that of lakes or ponds, the bait 

 should be allowed to float in mid-water ; in rivers, 

 nearer the bottom. In March, the Perch de- 

 posits its spawn, after which it will afibrd good 

 sport to the end of October ; a cool day with a 

 fresh breeze to ruffle the surface, being most pro- 

 pitious. 



The readiness with which this beautiful fish 

 is taken is partly due to its voracity, in which 

 it almost equals the ravenous Pike ; when hun- 

 gry indeed, it will seize almost any object that 

 is presented to it. A writer in the New Sporting 

 Magazine, says that he has repeatedly taken a 

 Perch with no other bait than a portion of the 

 gills of one just captured, accidentally remaining 

 on the hook, the line having been carelessly al- 

 lowed to drop into the water while a fresh bait 

 was being selected. "Red seems an attractive 



