THE PERCH FAMILY. 67 



living fish are transferred from the park ponds to other 

 waters." 



I have myself taken several specimens of deformed Perch 

 in some ponds near New Brighton, Cheshire ; and in other 

 neighbourhoods they do not appear to be very uncommon. 

 Thomas Hurtley, in his account of some natural curiosities 

 in the environs of Malham, near Craven, Yorkshire, speaks 

 of the Perch of Malham Water, which after a certain age 

 become blind. A hard yellow film covers the whole sur- 

 face of the eye, when the fish gradually acquires a black 

 hue. These Perch frequently attain the weight of 5 Ibs., 

 and are only to be taken with a net that sweeps the bottom, 

 where they feed on Loaches, Miller's Thumbs, &c. 



The Perch is the Perke of the Greeks, the Perca of the 

 Romans, the Pergesa of the Italians, the Bors or Persch 

 of Prussia, the Aborre or Tryte of Scandinavia, the Perche 

 of France, and the Flussbarsch of Germany. 



Characteristics of the common Perch. Gill-rays 7. Two back-fins, 

 distinct, separated j rays of the first all spinous, those of the second 

 flexible. Length of head as compared to body, 2 to 7. Teeth small, 

 uniform in size, curved backwards ; situated on both jaws, vomer, and 

 bones of palate. Fore gill-cover notched below, serrated on posterior 

 edge. Gill-covers bony, ending in a flattened point. Scales rough, 

 hard, and not easily detached. Colours (when in good condition) : 

 upper part of body greenish brown, fading into a yellow- white below ; 

 sides marked with dark transverse bands ; first back-fin brown and 

 spotted ; second back-fin, and pectoral fins, pale brown ; ventral, anal, 

 and tail fins bright vermilion. 



Fin-rays: D. 15-1 + 13 : P. 14 : V. 1+5 : A. 2+8 : C. 17. 



