324 perCjEDjE. 



sons in Canada who regard it as a distinct species, and 

 expatiate on its great superiority over all other Basse. 

 Having, however, very carefully inquired into the 

 matter, I am satisfied that the two are identical, and 

 am glad to learn by a private letter from the Fisheries 

 Superintendent of Lower Canada that he is likewise 

 of this opinion. 



Though Pickerel is a term often applied to young 

 Pike, it is also used to designate a fish properly called the 

 Pike-perch, or Sandre {Lucioperca Canadensis)^ the 

 Piccarel of the French Canadians, which partakes, as its 

 name indicates, almost equally of the appearance of the 

 pike, and perch, though it belongs to the latter family, 

 and has really nothing to do with the other. 



It is a dark green colour on the back, and is marked 

 Avith a few yellowish irregular spots on the sides, those 

 on the fins being dark. In form it is shorter and deeper 

 than the pike, and the scales are rough ; it has also in 

 addition a spiny dorsal fin, like that of the perch. It is 

 taken by trolling, but though exceedingly voracious, 

 and feeding almost entirely on young fish, it does not 

 take the bait freely. It grows rapidly, is met with plenti- 

 fully in many waters, and is much esteemed. 



The Sheepshead ( Corvina oscula) also belonging to the 

 Perch family, is a dry insipid fish, of a grey colour, with 

 bluish tints on the back. It is common in Lakes Erie 



