COMMON PERCH. 93 



A species from Java is named P. ciliata, from 

 the deeper cutting in or ciliation of the scales. 

 Another, from Cook's Straits, differs from its 

 congeners in being spotted on the sides, above 

 and below the lateral line, with reddish golden 

 coloured spots. The body of a lengthened form, 

 silvery, the back with green and bluish bands 

 nearly to the lateral line. It was found to be a 

 nsh of great delicacy of flavour; and, from its 

 resemblance to a trout in spotting and taste, was 

 named by Forster Selena trutta.* Cuvier has now 

 placed it at the extremity of his genus Perca. 



The Common Perch (see Plate XXXV.), how- 

 ever, still continues the species which is most ac- 

 curately known, and, among the fishes which are 

 used in the economy of man, was the one which 

 was 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. In distri- 

 bution, it is extensively spread over the lakes and 

 rivers of Europe and a part of Asia; it extends to 

 Italy, to European and Asiatic Russia, and is found 

 in the rivers which flow into the Baltic and Black 

 Sea. To Great Britain it is thought to have been 

 introduced, and is now an abundant and well 





* See detailed description, Schneider, 542, Addenda, 



