PERCH. 381 



Fishes are distributed into two great divisions, Bony 

 and Cartilaginous, the first group containing very much the 

 largest number of species. It is a numerous class of ani- 

 mals, supposed to consist of between eight and nine thou- 

 sand species. The streams which take their rise in the Alle- 

 ghanies and flow east and west, present a variety of fishes, 

 a few only of which can be named here. 



BONY FISH, (Spine-rayed.) 

 Family PercidaB. 



PERCA Flavescens, (Mitch.) The yellow perch is a widely- 

 distributed species. The almost universally-diffused "Ameri- 

 can yellow perch" is found in the larger streams flowing 

 from the mountain. Small young ones occasionally pene- 

 trate the higher streams, rarely if ever the extreme spring- 

 run or last rivulet. Being a rough, savage eater, bold and 

 tough, he takes an extensive range. 



PERCA Nebulosa, and Minima of Haldeman are inhabit- 

 ants of the Susquehanna River, whose tributaries flow from 

 the Alleghany Mountain. These species are found sometimes 

 high up those streams. 



LUCIOPERCA Americana, (Cuv. et Yal.) Yellow pike- 

 perch. This fish is extensively distributed both east and 

 west. It has many names in different parts of the country, 

 and is called salmon in the Western waters. It sometimes 

 ascends the streams into the mountain range, and is esteemed 

 an excellent fish for the table, and being voracious, is easily 

 taken. 



POMOTIS Yulgaris, (Cuv. etYal.) Pond-fish, sun-fish. 

 The genus Pomotis is American, and composed of fresh- 

 water fish. The vulgaris has a wide range, as Eastern 

 States to North Carolina, and west to Lake Huron. 

 This brilliant little gem of a fish is found in the moun- 

 tain waters. It abounds, especially in the larger creeks 

 and rivers, lower down, and does not seem to be much of 



