THE PERCH 47 
which abounds in Eastern Europe, and is found as far west 
as Schleswig-Holstein. It is said to be a desirable fish for 
The Zander, naturalisation in British waters, but, although its 
Pike-perch flesh is of a high quality, and it is a good sport- 
(Lucio perca). ino fish, the utmost discretion should be observed 
in distributing it; for it unites the omnivorous voracity and 
size of the pike with the defensive armature of the common 
perch. Such a formidable creature might work irremediable 
havoc if it became established in waters tenanted by other 
game fish. 
The zander is remarkable from the degree in which 
external conditions and common habit have prevailed to 
modify its appearance to that of the pike, a fish-creature 
belonging to a family far lower in the scale of bony fishes. 
Retaining the spiny dorsal fin of the perch, its body has 
become elongated, and the skin closely assimilated in colour 
and markings to the dappled livery of the pike. The zander 
has its close counterpart in the New World in the American 
pike-perch, which has been taken weighing upwards of 40 lb. 
And now, having obtained a general, if somewhat super- 
ficial, view of the ramifications of the great family of perches, 
ae it is time to devote attention to consideration of the 
ae teneance chief of the clan in the British Isles. In appear- 
“ance, courage, and esculent properties, the common 
perch is not unworthy of its exalted rank, besides which it 
attains a very respectable size. In truth, this fish, when in 
good condition—say from the beginning of July to the end 
of January—is an exceedingly comely creature, well deserving 
Pope’s encomium— 
The bright-eyed perch with fins of Tyrian dye. 
If it has not the lustre and symmetry of a new-run salmon, 
nor the jewelled sparkle and iridescent hues of the best type 
of brook-trout in its prime, it possesses an aspect of vigour 
which is very prepossessing. We all know what a difference 
