nit: COMJION PERCH. 217 



It is remarkable not only for tin- ofTen-ive wcai>ons with which it is armed, bat for the large, 

 full e\e. tin- xiw-like series .if notches on the abdomen, and the beautiful rosy hue of its 

 nali - I In- dorsal lin of this lish i- -nu!. . Lui \* , ,,m] ! nf ux.. di-tin.-i [xirtions, tin- out' 

 U-iuy -ii] ::; ; \ strung, -j inOOl i tjl, VO& fttOttM l'.\ -"f' :nnl ll.-\il.|.- nx-. Tin- mu//|.- 

 i- \.-rx short, rounded, ami does nut protrude : tlie tail is deeply forked, and the serrated 

 portion of tin- abdomen c,,n-iM- .if e|e\,-n. tu.-lx.-. m thirteen scales. The l>d\ U x.-ry dt-p, 

 in pn>]x>rtion t<> it.- length. 



BEFORE proceeding to the next family, we must < -{usually notice two large genera belong- 

 ing to this family. ( )f the first genus tin- MIUIUAN ]' I////-///A/.V//.V iniinljun) in u good 

 example. 



This handsome ii-li i- found off the coasts of India and in the Red Sea, and can Ite easily 

 recognized by its bi-autiful coloring, it large scales, short muzzle, and prominent chin. The 

 p-n.-ral color of this spl.-ndid fish is bright rose-pink, beautifully mottled by a rich violet 

 !_!.. .M.I, -,:,].. Th- xifl |Mirtionsnf (In- ilorsal, x.-nti-il. :iii>l anal I'm- ar.- !> Mix in.n-in.-il 

 with white, and tin- front ray* lux.- a rn>-s hand f violet-brown. The tml fin is (Mlpnl with 

 whit\ an.l a loni:itiidiiial strijH' of violet-brown traverses each lobe. About fourteen or fifteen 

 species of this genus are kno\\ u. 



OF the next, genus, the SCARLET PERCH (Holo&mtrum rubrum) is rather a striking 

 .xamj.l.'. 



This fine fish inhabits tin- Asiatic seas, and there are specimens in the museums from the 

 Red Sea, Amboyna, Louisiade Archipelago, the Philippines, Japan, and China. On the 

 open-ulum are two stmng spim-s. tin- upjM-r lx>ing the larger. The color of this fish is shining 

 red, diversiti.-*! with eijiht hands of grayish-white. The outer edges of the tail fin are black, 

 and there is a patch of the same color on tin- ventral fins. This genus contains many very 

 handsome species, and in almost every case the prevailing colors are red and violet. 



PERCH, MULLET, BRAIZE. 



WE now come to the large ami imj>i taut family of the Perches, which comprises many 

 of the handsomest and most valuable fishes. The members of this family are found in all 

 parts of the globe. 



THE COMMON PERCH is well known as one of the handsomest river-fish, and, on account 

 of its boldness and the voracious manner in which it takes the bait, and the active strength 

 with which it struggles against its captor, is a great favorite with many anglers. 



Moreover, \\li.-n captured, and placed in an aquarium, it very soon learns to distinguish 

 the hand that feeds it. and will come to the surface and take food from the fingers. It has 

 a fashion of seizing its f (H <l with a rather sharp jerk, and then snatches it away with such 

 violence, that, when it takes the h<x>k, it will drag a stout cork float several inches below the 

 surface, and, by the force of its own stroke, will mostly hook itself, without any exertion on 

 the part of the angler. Bold-biting, however, as is its reputation, there are some seasons of 

 the year when it is almost impossible to catch a Perch, and even the shy and gently-nibbling 

 roach is an easier prey. 



The flesh of the Perch is white, firm, well-flavored, and is thought to be both delicate and 

 nutritious. 



The 1'. Teh is not a large fish ; from two to three pounds being considered rather a heavy 

 weight. Individuals, however, of much greater dimensions have been, though rarely, capt- 

 ured. 



The color of the Penh is rich pm'imh-brown above, passing gradually into golden-white 

 below. Upon the sides is a row of dark transverse bands, generally from five to seven in 



number. The first dorsal fin is brown, with a little black between two or three of the first 

 VOL in.-*. 



