RIVER GARDENS ; 



This handsome fish is found in nearly all the lakes 

 and rivers of temperate climates, but in the colder 

 regions, towards the north, he becomes rare, and 

 at last disappears. Even in the lochs north of 

 the Eorth he is but sparingly found, and entirely 

 wanting in the more remote lochs of Scotland. Yet 

 his distribution is somewhat capricious, for although 

 he is not found in Orkney or Shetland, he is described 

 by Nellson as not infrequent in Scandinavia. 



The Perch, if not of too large size, in which case 

 he would be dangerous to his neighbours, is exceed- 

 ingly well suited to the Aquarium, both on account 

 of his robust constitution, and his susceptibility of 

 being tamed, to say nothing of his handsome 

 appearance. Mr. Jesse, in speaking of Perch placed 

 in a Vivarium in Bushy Park, says, that after be- 

 coming familiar with their new mode of life, they 

 came up boldly and took worms greedily from the 

 fingers. This fish is, in fact, one of the most fear- 

 less of his tribe, and his rashness often proves his 

 destruction, for he is generally the first prize of the 

 young angler. Perch have been known to breed in 

 small vases, and there is little doubt that they 

 might, with only ordinary care, bring up a nume- 

 rous family in a well-managed Aquarium. They are 

 so hardy that they live for many hours out of water, 



