COLLECTION OF FISH. 



arc particularly remarkable for the extension of 

 their pectoral fins, which has been the cause of 

 the surnames of <volitans and evolans being given 

 to some of them ; there are two species in the 

 cabinet which have not been described. 



The family of the perch (perca) is as numerous 

 as the preceding ; its distinguishing character is 

 two fins on the back. There are in the collection 

 more than two hundred species, which M. Cuvier 

 has distributed into eighteen genera and many 

 sub-genera. We shall only mention those which 

 contain the most remarkable species. The -first 

 are the surmullets (mullus], of which we have 

 fifteen species. The most celebrated is the red 

 surmullet from the Mediterranean, its back is 

 of a beautiful red, its belly silvery, and its flesh 

 is very delicate. '2d. The perch (perca}, the 

 most common species of which inhabits fresh 

 waters. M. Cuvier has divided it into six sub- 

 genera. We will only mention the sandre perch 

 (perca lucio-perca, Lin.), a very delicate fish 

 which, from the flattened form of its snout 

 resembles the pike. A very fine specimen, given 

 to the Museum by the marquis de Bonnay, is 

 on the ceiling. We have thirty-four species 

 of the genus / erca. 3d. The scicence, Guv., have 

 an obtuse and scaly snout. Of the thirty-one 

 species in the Museum some are from the Indian 



