PEECH. 



61 



PEECH. 



THE Perch is an inhabitant of clear rivers and 

 lakes, and is to be found in all parts of England ; 

 its general length, when full grown, is from twelve 

 to eighteen inches, and weighs from two to four 

 pounds. The colour of the Perch is brownish olive, 

 sometimes accompanied by a slight gilded tinge on 

 the sides, and commonly marked with five or six 

 moderately broad, blackish transverse bars ; the 

 dorsal fin is of a pale violet brown, the rest of the 

 fins, and the tail, are red. Sometimes this fish 

 varies in colour, the olive assuming a richer cast of 

 gilded green, the dusky bars appearing more nu- 

 merous, and of a bluish black. 



The Perch is fond of frequenting deep holes 

 in rivers which flow with a gentle current ; it is 

 extremely voracious, and eagerly takes a bait ; and 



