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 



