105 



THE COMMON PIKE-PERCH. 



Lucioperca sandra Cuv. et Val. 



PLATE V. 



Perca lucioperca, Block Le Sandre comm\m Lucio- 

 perca sandra, Cuv. et Valen. Hist. Nat. des Poissons, 

 ii. p. 110. 



D. 14-1.22; A. 2.11 ; C. 17; P. 15; V. 1.5. 



This handsome fish inhabits the rivers and 

 lakes of the north and east of Europe, but, 

 according to Cuvier, is unknown in Italy, France, 

 or Britain. It is taken in the Danube, the Elbe, 

 and the Oder ; in the Baltic, Caspian, and Black 

 Seas, the Sea of Asoph, and is very abundant in 

 the Volga. In this great European range, and 

 notwithstanding its excellence as food, it appears 

 to have been unknown to the ancients ; at least 

 none of our most skilful ichthyologists have been 

 able to trace its presence as an article of luxury 

 or necessity at their entertainments. It is a fish 

 of rapid growth, and attains a length of three to 

 four feet, and a weight of twenty pounds. Its 

 flesh is of an agreeable taste, rich, and, when 

 cooked, remarkably white. It is often salted and 

 smoked, and quantities prepared in these ways 

 are exported from both Prussia and Silesia. It 



