56 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



Of the British Perch, so far as my experience extends, 

 the Thames produces the best, in the matter of quality; 

 Windermere and Slapton Ley, the greatest show as to 

 quantity; and the Kennet, from Hungerford to Reading, 

 the finest specimens for general size and weight. In this 

 latter river, near Kintbury, Mr. Francis Hughes and my- 

 self took on one occasion several dozen Perch averaging 

 more than a full pound weight each, and the largest fish 

 considerably exceeded 2 Ibs. The numbers of Perch exist- 

 ing in Windermere, and Slapton Ley, Devonshire, are 

 almost incredible ; but their size is insignificant, rarely 

 passing a few inches, and more commonly being still 

 smaller. 



The Perch of the Thames, which is also noticeable for 

 its fine colouring, probably owes its superior gastronomic 

 attractions to the great purity of the stream above locks, 

 as well as to the wide range in the choice of food, spawning- 

 ground, &c., which it affords ; but in whatever waters the 

 fish is bred, it is seldom other than palatable, as well as 

 wholesome, and it is on this account a frequent item in 

 the invalid's dietary. Izaak Walton indeed mentions a 

 German proverb which would give it a very high place as a 

 comestible " More wholesome than a Pearch of Rhine," 

 and quotes a learned authority to the effect that it possesses 

 a small stone in the head thought to be very " medecin- 

 able," and which was at one time an ingredient in our 

 Pharmacopoeia. 



