CHAPTER XIV. 



Perch and Perch-Fishing. 



the many different species of the Ptrcidce family which in- 

 habit the waters of Europe, North America, Siberia, and 

 Western Asia, the common European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is 

 highly regarded by the angler. During the winter months this fish 

 yields excellent sport on rod and line, being for its size far gamer 

 than even the predatory pike. 



Abounding throughout the greater part of Europe, including 

 Scandinavia and Lapland, in which latter country it is known as 

 the "abbor," the valiant perch is more or less plentiful in the 

 various rivers, ponds and lakes of England, Ireland and Wales ; 

 but in Scotland it is confined chiefly to the lowlands, being found 

 in certain waters of the North only, into which it has been intro- 

 duced. In parts of Southern Europe there exists another species 

 of this genus of fish Pcvca, Italics which fish differs from the 

 common European perch in that its form is shorter and deeper, 

 whilst the dark cross-bands are absent from its back. 



Per ca fluviatilis is a remarkably handsome fish. Its sides, striped 

 with dark green or blackish bars, are of a golden-brownish hue that 

 passes into a yellowish colour on the under-part, the whole shaded 

 with an iridescent sheen ; its ventral and caudal fins are brilliant 

 red ; it carries the large, prickly dorsal fin characteristic of the 

 acanthopterygious fish. 



Although so beautiful to look upon when freshly caught, with 

 its formidable spiky fin held erect in bold defiance, the perch in 

 death soon loses the splendour of its gaudy " coat." In this con- 

 nection, the writer recalls certain occasions when he has retained 

 sundry specimens of the fish in question whose appearance several 

 hours after capture was positively repulsive. 



