66 THE SONG OF THE REEL. 



The true perch possesses two dorsal fins that are quite distinct 

 from each other, the rays of the front one being spinous, those of 

 the rear one flexible. Its scales are rough and rather large ; its 

 tongue smooth, and its gill-covers " bony, notched, and sharply 

 serrated." 



Like the carp, the perch is supposed to live for a considerable 

 time out of water. And it is said that in some countries large 

 consignments of live perch were despatched to markets, often fifty 

 or sixty miles distant. The fish were packed in damp moss or 

 straw ; and in the event of their not being sold were returned to 

 their native element, apparently quite unharmed by their long 

 journey overland. 



The perch is a most prolific fish ; its fecundity is wonderful. 

 Its ova, says Buckland, is " invested by a gelatinous envelope of a 

 viscid nature, causing the eggs to stick together in masses. These 

 masses take the form of long tube or net-shaped bands, which are 

 deposited on, and adhere to, water-plants at the bottom of the 

 stream." 



Delicate, firm and tasty is the flesh of the perch when cooked ; 

 some fishermen consider it even more pleasing to the palate than 

 the flesh of " lowland " trout. In " The Compleat Angler " Walton 

 alludes to the praise bestowed upon this toothsome fish by 

 Aldrovandus and Gesner ; and quotes the German proverb " more 

 wholesome than a pearch of Rhine." 



Perch, as a rule, spawn in April and May, afterwards seeking 

 shallow water with a fastish current wherein to recuperate. Sub- 

 sequently they repair to quieter, deeper water in the vicinity of old 

 piles and bridges ; also they lurk in sheltered corners where weeds 

 or water-lilies are exuberant, and in streams flowing gently over a 

 gravelly bed. 



In September these fish become gregarious, swimming together 

 in shoals ; for, as old Izaak remarks, " they are not like the solitary 

 pike, but love to accompany one another and march together in 

 troops." However, in some lakes, perch art known to be " solitary 

 of habit " ; but these are generally the largest specimens tritons 

 among the minnows of their race. 



