i 9 4 



THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



introduced with but little change into almost every European 

 country." 



Aristotle describes the perch under the name of TrepK^ ; 

 the Roman name was Perca; in Italy it is called Pergosa ; 

 in Prussia, Perseke; in France, La Perche; in Germany, 

 Barsch. In England this fish has various provincial names, 

 as Barse in Westmoreland, Base in Cumberland, Trasting 

 in Cheshire, Crutchet in Warwickshire, &c. 



Perch are gregarious, are fond of deep holes, and are 



THE PERCH. 



found often by the sides of piers or bridges, or the wooden 

 or brick camp sheathings in mill-dams, &c. They often 

 form companies, and herd together, the smaller separately 

 from the larger fish : 



" Pearch, like the Tartar clans, in troops remove, 

 And urged by famine, or by pleasure, rove ; 

 But if one pris'ner, as in war, you seize, 

 You'll prosper, master of the camp with ease ; 

 For, like the wicked, unalarm'd they view 

 Their fellows perish, and their path." 



-The Angler. 



