BRITISH SPORTING FISH. 87 



rather unequal ; in Scotland very general south of 

 the Frith of Forth and comparatively rare to the 

 north of it, ceasing entirely amongst the innumer- 

 able waters of Sutherland and Ross, or, where 

 observed, owing its introduction to very recent 

 times. 



Of the British Perch, so far as my experience 

 extends, the Thames produces the best in the 

 matter of quality ; Windermere, and Slapton Ley, 

 in Devonshire, the greatest show as to quantity ; 

 and the Kennet from Hungerford to Reading, or 

 perhaps the Avon below Sommerley, the finest 

 specimens for general size and weight. The num- 

 bers of Perch in Windermere and Slapton Ley are 

 almost incredible : but their size is commonly in- 

 significant. 



The Perch of the Thames, which is also notice- 

 able for its fine colouring, probably owes its supe- 

 rior gastronomic attractions to the great purity of 

 the stream above locks as well as to the wide 

 range in the choice of food, spawning-ground, &c., 

 which it affords ; but in whatever waters the fish 

 is bred it is seldom other than palatable as well 

 as wholesome, and it is on this account a frequent 

 item in the invalid's dietary. " More wholesome 

 than a Pearch of Rhine," says a German proverb 

 mentioned by Izaak Walton, who also quotes a 

 learned authority to the effect that it possesses a 

 small stone in the head thought to be very " medi- 

 cinable." 



