PERCID^. 193 



most valuable fishes of the western waters, in which it greatly abounds, 

 and sells readily for a high price. It spawns in Lake Huron in April 

 or May, and has been taken of the length of thirty inches. 



" Its color is yellowish olive above the lateral line ; lighter on the 

 sides ; silvery beneath. Head and gill-covers mottled with green, 

 brownish and white. Chin pale flesh-color. Pupil dark and vitreous, 

 irides mottled with black and yellowish. Membrane of the spinous 

 dorsal fin transparent, with a few dark dashes ; the upper part of the 

 membrane tipped with black. Soft dorsal fin light yellowish, spotted 

 with brown in irregular longitudinal bars. Ventral fins transparent 

 yellowish ; pectoral fins yellowish olive, with brownish bars. Anal fin 

 transparent yellowish, with a broad whitish margin ; caudal fin with 

 irregular dusky bars. 



" The body is elongated, cylindrical and tapering. Scales of 

 moderate size, lateral line straight from the upper edge of the gill- 

 covers to the tail. Preoperculum serrated with a series of distant 

 spines. Opercle with one slender flat terrinal spine, beyond which is 

 a pointed membrane. Branchial rays, seven. Mouth wide extensi- 

 ble, the lower jaws received into the upper. A series of acute re- 

 curved teeth in both jaws, and on the vomer and palatines. Two 

 very long and conspicuous teeth, resembling canines, in front of each 

 jaw ; those of the lower received into cavities above. Teeth on the 

 vomer minute. Tongue smooth, pointed, free. The first dorsal fin 

 is composed of thirteen or fourteen long slender spinous rays ; the 

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

 soft rays ; the pectorals have fourteen soft rays ; the ventrals one 

 stout spine and five branched rays ; the anal one spine and fourteen 

 rays ; the caudal is deeply furcate, and has seventeen distinct, beside 

 many accessory rays." 



This fish is a true Pearch, though its form, elongated mouth, and 

 fiercely predatory habits suggest the idea of a Pike, whence Dr. De- 

 Kay has given it the appellation of Pike Pearch, which is a translation 

 of its classical name, in preference to the name Sandre, which belongs 

 to the Canadian fish of the same species, and to the analogous Euro- 

 pean fishes. 



