FISHES. 135 



to vermicelli, but it now feeds upon tte latter in preference 

 to the former. The Golden Orfe is a hardy and lively little 

 fish, and very quick and graceful in its movements. The 

 length of the head of this fish about equals the depth of 

 its body. Its back and the upper part of its sides are orange 

 in colour, which colour gradually becomes sUvery as it nears 

 the lateral line. The fins are white and slightly tinged with 

 silver. The tail fin is rather deeply forked. The eyes are 

 xmuBually fuU and beautiful. The head is small, and the 

 snout blunt. This fish does not exceed 31b. in weight. 

 Small Golden Orfe can generally be bought in London for 

 about Is. 6d. each. 



Fig. 100. Golden Obpe (Leuciscus orpus). 



The Common Perch [Perca Jlv/viatilis) (Fig. 101) is an 

 extremely handsome fish and very suitable for the aquarium. 

 It is hardy, and if properly cared for, readily adapts itseK 

 to a life iu confinement. The only drawbacks to the Perch 

 as an inmate of the tank are its voracity, and a proneness 

 to devour its companions. These drawbacks, however, may 

 be easily overcome in one of the following ways : (1) By 

 only keeping very small fish of this species, considerably 

 smaller than the rest of their comrades ; (2) by keeping 

 them in a separate aquarium; (3) by dividing ofE a portion 

 of the tank for them by means of pieces of glass. This 

 glass division is occasionally very useful if the aquarium is 

 large. It is easily arranged and by no means unsightly. 

 It is thus constructed: Two pieces of thin copper wire are 



