23* 



THE AMERICAN PIKE, 



THE pretty little RUFFE (Acerina drnua, is common in many English rivers, where 

 it is sometimes known under the name of POPE, the reason for the latter title not being 

 very clear. 



In general appearance the Ruffe bears some resemblance to the perch, the shape of 

 its body and the thorny fins being not unlike those of that handsome fish. It may, 

 however, be immediately distinguished from the perch by its spotted fins, and the absence 

 of the dark band over the sides. Moreover, the dorsal fin is single. It is a tolerably 

 bold biter, and takes a hook readily when baited with a little bright-red worm. 



The color of the Ruffe is light olive-brown above, and silver-white on the abdomen ; 

 the flanks are yellowish brown. The back, dorsal fin, and tail, are covered with little 

 brown spots, set so closely in the tail as to resemble bars, and upon the gill-covers there 

 is a little pearly green. The length of this fish seldom exceeds six or seven inches. 



til ANT PERCH. -Lucioperca Sandra. 



A REMARKABLY fine fish, called the GIANT PERCH, is found in many of the rivers 

 and lakes of Germany and Eastern Europe. 



This handsome species derives its name of Lucioperca, or Pike-Perch, from the 

 resemblance which it bears to both these fishes, having the lengthened body of the one, 

 and the spine-armed fins of the other. It has, however, nothing to do with the pike, 

 and is closely allied to the perch, belonging, indeed, to the same family. The teeth 

 are rather large, and are thought to resemble those of the pike in length and sharpness. 



The color of the Giant Perch is greenish olive above, banded with brown. Below it 

 is white. It is a very fine fish, attaining, when full-grown, to a length of three or four 

 feet. There are several species belonging to the same genus. 



A VERY handsome fish, that is popularly but erroneously called the AMERICAN PIKE, 

 has derived its name from the elongated and somewhat pike-like form of its body. 

 The teeth, however, are even, and bear no resemblance to those of the real pike. 



The flesh of this fish is thought to be good for the table, and as the dimensions to 

 which the creature attains are often considerable, it is really one of the valuable 

 inhabitants of the American waters. It is one of the sea-loving species, and is mostly 



