PERCH. 37 



though the perch conform more nearly to their 

 environment. The reflection of the leaves and 

 the waving of the weeds cause the water to 

 be dark olive -green, and before the "bass" 

 rise to the warmer water it is difficult to detect 

 them in the deeps. As they approach the surface, 

 their easy evolutions and bright colouring are 

 at once seen. The burnished armour is deep 

 bronze, done with bars of darker green, the 

 whole shaded by a sheen of peacock iridescence. 

 The fins show as sparks of fire in the dark 

 water, and alternately the dorsal spine is erected 

 and depressed. Perfect amity seems to exist 

 betwixt the perch and his neighbours so long 

 as he is allowed " to rule the roast." If a 

 roach or gudgeon so much as attempt to in- 

 vade his feeding-ground, he loses not a moment 

 in preparing his weapons. It has been well 

 said that the armament of spines on a perch's 

 back acts as the index of his mind ; and the 

 conceit recommends itself to any one who has 

 observed the fish in its haunts. Just as the 

 smaller birds drop into their leafy retreats at 

 the shadow of a hawk, so the small fry of the 

 waters rush to their rests at the green glint of 

 the " water- wolf." Not so, however, the perch. 

 He parades himself before the pike, at the 

 same time erecting his spiny armour. Not only 



