246 COMMON PERCH. 



10. PERCH TRIBE. 



Few species of fish are more voracious than these ; 

 and their strength and activity in the pursuit of prey 

 are very great. There are, in the whole, about sixty 

 species. 



Common Perch. It is chiefly in deep places, rivers, 

 and streams of fresh water where the current is rapid, 

 that the shoals of these fish are found. They spawn 

 about the month of April, the females depositing their 

 ova upon the weeds and other substances, in shallow 

 places. In the centre of each egg is to be remarked a 

 small, clear bubble, round which is the yellow, which 

 also is surrounded with white. There are few kinds of 

 fish more rapid in their motions, or more voracious in 

 their habits, than the Perch. All the smaller inhabitants 

 of the water, whether worms, fish, or insects, fall a 

 sacrifice to their appetite. On some occasions they do 

 not spare even their own kind. So tenacious of life are 

 these fish, that instances have been known of their sur- i 

 viving journeys of fifty or sixty miles, packed in straw. 

 Perch are, in general, easily caught with lines, theji 

 hooks of which are baited with worms or small fish. 

 The best season of angling for Perch is from April to 

 January ; and the time from sunrise till ten o'clock, ; 

 and from two o'clock till sunset; except in cloudy 

 weather, when they will generally bite all day. It is 

 said that a pond may be stocked with Perch by means 

 only of the eggs. The length of the Perch seldom 

 exceeds two feet, and its weight five or six pounds ; but 

 the most usual weight is from half a pound to two 

 pounds. On the back there are two fins, the first of which 



