COMMON PERCH. 95 



Jtalica — found in certain cantons of Italy, and, 

 in particular seasons, seen in the Boulogne 

 markets. It is without the dark side bands, but 

 differs also slightly in some of the proportions of 

 the head and fins. The Wales variety, mentioned 

 by Pennant, consists in the hunched form of the 

 back, and the distorted form of the back-bone 

 next the tail, which appears first pinched in, and 

 again expands. 



As an article of food or luxury, we cannot 

 agree with its celebrator, Ausonius, in its excel- 

 lency over our other fresh water fishes. When 

 of average size, it aflbrds a fine variety for the 

 table, but will be surpassed in delicacy by either 

 the Trout or Salmon. The skins are used by the 

 Laplanders, cooked into a kind of jelly, and for 

 making glue ; and in the village of Lisse, on the 

 Haarlem-mere, celebrated dishes are prepared 

 from their milts ; while of their scales, whitened 

 and cleaned, many pretty ornaments have been 

 lately made. 



The general habitat of the Perch in Britain is in 

 lakes, and streams not too rapid. They delight 

 in a clear bottom with grassy margin, or in rivers 

 overhung with brush, and widening into some 

 beautiful lake-like expanse. Here they roam in 

 shoals, descending and rising, seeking their food, 

 and shading themselves from the too great heat 

 among the reeds or foliage. They are rather a 



