194 AMERICAN FISHES. 



The Grat Pike Pearch, Lucioperca Grisea, would seem to be a 

 permanent variety of the above, if not a distinct species ; it differs 

 from it in size, never exceeding ten or twelve inches, in color and 

 several other important particulars. It is found in the same waters 

 with the preceding species, and is equally prized as an article of food. 



Richardson's Pike Pearch, the Canadian Sandre, Lucioperca 

 Canadensis, is another small distinct species, found in the river St. 

 Lawrence. Its principal characteristic difference lies in the fact that 

 the operculum has five acute spines on the lower margin. In colo:- 

 it is dark olive green above, and whitish beneath, with a few pale- 

 yellow spots on the sides below the lateral line. It does not exceed 

 fourteen inches in length. It is, like the others of its species, esteemed 

 an excellent fish on the table, and, being a free biter and hard puller, 

 affords good sport to the angler. It is not, however, of so great im- 

 portance that I care to enter into a more minute description. 



This is the fish concerning which a controversy has been gcirg on 

 between " Dinks " and some Western fishermen, who insist o\ cflling 

 it a Pike, as distinct from Pickerel. It is a true Pearch, a^id hos no 

 connexion with any of the Pike family. 



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