YCHTHYOLOGY. 23 



often brilliant, disposed in bands on the body, or distributed in vivid tints on the fins, 

 which contrast with the more sombre shades. They inhabit North America, Europe, 

 India, the sea-like lakes of America, and the sluggish parts of her vast rivers afford the 

 most numerous species. 



PERCA GRANULATA. 



THE GRANULATED PERCH. 



No. 1. The Granulated Perch inhabits the rivers which flow from the Blue Moun- 

 tains, towards the Atlantic Ocean, and, with two others from the same country, is so 

 similar to that of Europe, as to have been confounded with it, and to have assisted in 

 the idea that the latter was also found in the New World. 



In the shape of the Perch, we find that combination of length, depth, and thickness, 

 which Vill give the easiest support in, and the least resistance when passing through 

 the water ; while the fin possesses great power, the swimming or air-bladder is of great 

 size, and the scaling or outward covering is compact, hard, and not awkwardly large. 

 In coloring it is -extremely beautiful, the upper parts of a rich olive green, shading into 

 golden yellow ; the body banded with distinct bars, of a deeper tint j and the whole re- 

 lieved by the deep velvety black of the posterior part of the dorsal fin, and the bril- 

 liant vermilion of the central and anal fins. For defence, the strong spines of the dor- 

 sal fin, which are erected and held fixed with extraordinary muscular power upon the 

 appearance of any danger, are admirably fitted, and it is one of the few fishes which is 

 able to frequent waters in common with the Pike. 



The common Perch still continues the species which is most accurately known, and, 

 among the fishes which are used in the economy of man, was one of those which were 

 perhaps most extensively and anciently used. It was known to the Greeks and Romans, 

 and was celebrated for its beauty and delicacy, in the latter quality being thought worthy 

 of contesting the palm with the far-famed Mullet. 



As an article of food or luxury, we cannot agree with its celebrator, Ausonius, in its 

 excellency over our other fresh water fishes. When of average size, it affords a fine 

 variety for the table, but will be surpassed in delicacy by either the Trout or Salmon. 



The skins are used by the Laplanders, cooked into a kind of jelly, and for making 

 glue ; and celebrated dishes are prepared from their melts ; while of their scales, 

 whitened and cleaned, many pretty ornaments have been lately made. 



LABRAX LUPUS. 



THE BASS, OR SEA-PERCH. 



No. 2. This fish was well known to the ancients ; it was celebrated as well for the 

 excellency of its flavor, as for the stratagems it used when encircled by nets, or fasten- 

 ed by the hook. Its general length is from ten to eighteen and twenty inches, though 

 it is said to grow much larger ; and being a bold fish, and active in its habits, it thus ob- 

 tained its name of Lupus, or Wolf. 



