THE PERCH 49 
The scales are large and distinctly marked, numbering 
from sixty to sixty-eight along the lateral line. They are 
finely serrated on the free edge, causing the fish to feel rough 
to the touch, and are moderately covered with mucus. The 
colouring of the body and fins is exceedingly rich and har- 
monious, quite unlike that of any other British fresh-water 
fish. The tint of the back is dark olive green, tending to 
blue in some waters and to brown in others, especially in 
large specimens. On the sides this ground tint becomes 
lighter, blending into golden yellow, and ceasing abruptly 
where it meets the pearly white of the belly. The forepart 
of the head is greenish or bluish brown ; the cheeks and gill- 
covers display various shades of bronze, with an occasional 
gleam of tin, and the irides are brown. All this would make 
up but a sober livery compared with the metallic and prismatic 
lustre of some other fish, were it not for the contrast imparted 
by the aforesaid dark bands, which run from five to nine in 
number in vertical parallel stripes. These bars, combined 
with the gay tint of some of the fins, force the effect of the 
whole into brilliancy. There is no distinct outward indication 
of sex, although it is said that the male may be identified by 
his figure, which is shorter and thicker than that of the female. 
Exceedingly conspicuous are the fins, eight in number. 
The foremost dorsal fin is an imposing object, carried boldly 
erect, supported by from thirteen to fifteen stiff, sharply- 
pointed, bony rays, which no doubt serve as a partial protection 
against pike, for the perch is the only British fish, except 
the eel, which manages to hold its own in enclosed waters 
infested by these marauders. The membrane is of a dull 
grey hue, tending to violet, except that portion of it which is 
supported by the three posterior rays, which is always deep 
black. 
The second or posterior dorsal fin has fifteen or sixteen 
rays, all soft and without sharp points, except the foremost 
and shortest, which is sharp. The membrane of this fin is 
4 
