224 THE PIKE PERCH. 
CHAPTEE XXIV. 
THE PIKE FERCH. 
Lucioperca Americana. — ^Tliis fish is mentioned more 
on account of the absurd misnomers that have been 
applied to it, to warn persons against similar errors, than 
on account of its sporting qualities. There appears to 
be some confusion among naturalists concerning this 
family ; there is probably an undescribed species. Dr. 
De Kay mentions a bluish fish which he regarded not as 
a distinct variety, but as an aged specimen. By a close 
comparison of the two, I am satisfied that although the 
scientific peculiarities are wonderfully alike, there are 
substantial diff*erences. 
The Pike Perch is called the Glass-eye, the Big-eyed 
Pike, the Pickerel, Pickering, and Pike of the Lakes ; 
whereas a simple suggestion will establish the difierence 
between it and the pikes or pickerel. The latter has all 
the fin-rays soft, and the ventrals in the centre of the 
abdomen, whereas this fish, which is a true perch, has 
many spinous rays, and the ventrals close beneath and 
just behind the pectorals. 
The Pike Perch is of an olive color on the back, yel- 
lowish on the sides, and white beneath. It attains a 
weight of thirty pounds, and is distinguished particularly 
by the peculiarity of having the membrane attached to 
