224 THE PIKE PERCH. 



CHAPTEK XXIV. 



THE PIKE PERCH. 



Lucioperca Americana. This fish is mentioned more 

 on account of the absurd misnomers that have been 

 applied to it, to warn persons against similar errors, than 

 on account of its sporting qualities. There appears to 

 be some confusion among naturalists concerning this 

 family ; there is probably an undescribed species. Dr. 

 De Kay mentions a bluish fish which he regarded not as 

 a distinct variety, but as an aged specimen. By a close 

 comparison of the two, I am satisfied that although the 

 scientific peculiarities are wonderfully alike, there are 

 substantial differences. 



The Pike Perch is called the Glass-eye, the Big-eyed 

 Pike, the Pickerel, Pickering, and Pike of the Lakes ; 

 whereas a simple suggestion will establish the difference 

 between it and the pikes or pickerel. The latter has all 

 the fin-rays soft, and the ventrals in the centre of the 

 abdomen, whereas this fish, which is a true perch, has 

 many spinous rays, and the ventrals close beneath and 

 just behind the pectorals. 



The Pike Perch is of an olive color on the back, yel- 

 lowish on the sides, and white beneath. It attains a 

 weight of thirty pounds, and is distinguished particularly 

 by the peculiarity of having the membrane attached to 



