226 THE PIKE PERCH. 



the first dorsal. The shape of the fore gill-cover is 

 slightly different, and the spines on its edge are more 

 distinct and regular, like teeth. There are no bars on 

 any fin except the dorsal ; there are no scales on the gill- 

 cover, and the fins are all light and transparent. There 

 are minute teeth on the base of the tongue. 



The fish that this description is taken from were found 

 in "New York market on the 25th day of February, and 

 may have been altered by their winter dress ; but they 

 were unknown to the fish-dealers, one of whom called 

 my attention to them and inquired their name. They 

 did not weigh over a pound, and the largest was fifteen 

 inches long, of which the head was four. Of the dorsal, 

 the second, third and fourth rays were the longest. 

 Being but a sportsman, I mention these matters to attract 

 the attention of the learned, who would do us a favor if 

 they would seek out the old Indian names to apply to 

 our anonymous fish. 



There is a third described species of lucioperca or pike 

 perch, as the word means ; lucioperca grisea, that is 

 found in the limits of New York, as well as the lucio- 

 perca canadensis, which belongs to Canada. 



It is to be observed that Dr. De Kay puts the length 

 of the lucioperca americana at 14.5, but says they are 

 occasionally much larger ; whereas the fish known as the 

 pike of the lakes is taken in immense quantities in Lake 

 Ontario, in April, of twenty pounds' weight, and rarely 

 falls below five. There is a small pike perch known as 

 the sorga, with the same general characteristics, but with 

 the membrane attached to the last spine-ray of the first 

 dorsal alone black. The back is yellow mottled with 



