146 THE PERCH. 



with a sharp bone, something like that of the 

 small sea-fish the stinging weever (a species of 

 l\-)\-id<\ which is quite capable of giving a 

 painful puncture. VVhcn a perch is in full 

 season, his cuirass of golden-brown scales (in 

 shape, ctenoid or comb-like) arc variegated with 

 five, and sometimes six, transverse bars of a dark 

 green-bronze colour, shaded with a lovely iri- 

 descence, as also are the gill-covers. The ventral 

 fins are situated on the breast below the pectorals, 

 and are, with the tail, a brilliant red. The teeth 

 are large, and numerous on the palate as well as the 

 jaws. He is a plucky fighter, and when he sallies 

 forth from his concealment, with his spiny gill- 

 covers distended and prickly dorsal fin erect, like 

 a warrior, ^at the word of command to " fix 

 bayonets" all ready for the combat even the 

 pike respects him, for he would be a tough 

 antagonist to swallow. 



When quiet and at rest, the perch sheathes his 

 back fin, and " slopes swords." 



In the matter of food he is omnivorous, and when 

 hungry has a craving stomach, which, Dr. Badham 

 Habits in Fish Tattle, says " comes up at least 

 of perch half-way to meet the bait, as with a hand- 

 like effort to grasp the food." A lively worm is his 

 bonne-bouche ; even in worms he has a choice. A 

 middle-sized one with plenty of movement or wriggle 

 in its tail is usually preferred ; but there are times 

 when minnows or small gudgeons are more seductive 

 bait than worms, and an ordinary fish globe, with a 

 few dozen minnows inside and muslin tied over the 

 top so that they cannot escape, and then sunk in 

 the water, forms a very attractive lure for perch. 

 There is a glass-trap to hold minnows made 



