THE PERCH. 



229 



BEFORE proceeding to the next family, we must casually notice two large genera 

 belonging to this family. Of the first genus, the MURDJAN PERCH (Myripristis murdjati) 

 is a good example. 



This handsome fish is found off the coasts of India and in the Red Sea, and can be 

 easily recognized by its beautiful coloring, its large scales, short muzzle, and prominent 

 chin. The general color of this splendid fish is bright rose-pink, beautifully mottled by 

 a rich violet edge to each scale. The soft portions of the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins are 

 boldly margined with white, and the front rays have a cross band of violet-brown. The 

 tail fin is edged with white, and a longitudinal stripe of violet-brown traverses each lobe. 

 About fourteen or fifteen species of this genus are known. 



OF the next genus, the SCARLET PERCH (Holocentnim rubrum) is rather a striking 

 example. 



This fine fish inhabits the Asiatic seas, and there are specimens in the British Museum 

 from the Red Sea, Amboyna, Louisiade Archipelago, the Philippines, Japan, and China. 

 On the operculum are two strong spines, the upper being the larger. The color of this 

 fish is shining red, diversified with eight bands of grayish white. The outer edges of the 

 tail fin are black, and there is a patch of the same color on the ventral fins. This 

 genus contains many very handsome species, and in almost every case the prevailing 

 colors are red and violet. 



WE now come to the large and important family of the Perches, which comprises 

 many of the handsomest and most valuable fishes. The members of this family are 

 found in all parts of the globe. 



PERCH.-Perca fluvlatills. 



The COMMON PERCH is well known as one of our handsomest river-fish, and, on 

 account of its boldness and the voracious manner in which it takes the bait, and the active 

 strength with which it struggles against its captor, is a great favorite with many anglers. 

 Moreover, when captured, and placed in an aquarium, it very soon learns to distinguish 

 the hand that feeds it, and will come to the surface and take food from the fingers. It 

 has a fashion of seizing its food with a rather sharp jerk, and then snatches it away with 

 such violence, that when it takes the hook, it will drag a stout cork float several inches 

 below the surface, and, by the force of its own stroke, will mostly hook itself without any 

 exertion on the part of the angler. Bold-biting, however, as is its reputation, 



