(.HNKIJAL l)i:sCl:il'TI(».V. '^47 



Pupil (hiik :mtl \itii'(m>; iricli-s mottled \\itli Mack, aiui 

 yellowish. Mcmbraiu' ul' the spiuoiiv (loisal tin traiis|)areiit, 

 with Ji few (lark dashes; the upper part of the n»euil)raue tipped 

 with l)laek. Soft dorsal tin li^^ht yi-llowish, spotted with hrown 

 iu irregular louj^itudiual hars. \ eutral fius trauspan-iit \(l- 

 lowish ; pectoral tins yellowish olive, with brownish hars. Anal 

 tin transparent yellow i>li, with a hioad whitish margin; eauilal 

 fin with iireLTuiar dusky hars. 



'' The hody is elongated, eyliiulrieal, and tapering. Scales of 

 moderate size ; lateral line straight fiom the upper edge of the 

 gill-covers to tlu- tail. I'rt'-u/jtrcit/um serrated with a series of 

 ilistant sj)ines. Opirclc with one slender flat terrinal spine, 

 beyond whieh is a pointed membrane, liniitrliidl rays, seven. 

 Mouth w ide, extensible ; the lower jaw s received into the upper. 

 A series of acute recurved teeth in both jaws, and on tlu* vonur 

 and palatines. Two very long and conspicuous tcelh, resem- 

 bling canines, in front of eaeli jaw ; those of the lower received 

 into cavities above. Teeth on the vonu'r minute. Tongue 

 smooth, pointed, free. The first dorsal fin is eouiposed of 

 thirteen or fourteen long sK-nder spinous rays; the seconil 

 dorsal has one short, simple, subspinous ray, and twenty-one 

 soft ravs ; the pectorals ha\e fourtei'u soft rays; the \entrals 

 cue stout spine and fi\e branched rays; the anal oiu- -piiu- anil 

 fourteen niys; the caudal is deeply furcate, and has seventeen 

 ilistinct, beside many accessory, rays." 



This fish is a true IVrch, though its form, clongate<l mouth, 

 and fiercely predatory habits suggest the idea of a Pike, whence 

 Dr. Dcknv has given it the appellation of Pike- Perch, which is 

 a tniuslation of its classical name, in preference to the name 



