THE PERCH. 3807 
toward the head. The lateral-line is thrice as near to 
the back as fo the belly, and is slightly arched till it 
passes the dorsal and anal fins, when it runs straight 
through the middle of the tail. It is marked on each 
scale by a tubular elevation, which is divided irregularly 
by an oblique depression. 
Fins.—Br. 7—7; D. 18—1 | 138; P. 14; V.1|5; A. 
2|8; 0.17 5-5.* 
The first dorsal commences a little posterior to the 
point of the gill-cover and to the pectorals: its fourth 
and fifth rays are the highest: the first ray is slender 
and not half the height of the second; the last ray is so 
short as to be detected only by a close examination. 
The second dorsal commences a quarter of an inch from 
the first, the space between them being occupied by two 
or three initer-spinous bones without rays: its first ray is 
spinous, and is closely applied to the base of the second, 
which is thrice as long, distinctly articulated, and 
divided at the tip; the remaining rays are all divided at 
their summits, but at their bases the articulations are 
obsolete.. The pectorals originate opposite to the spinous . 
point of the operculum ; they are somewhat longer than 
the ventrals, which are attached opposite to the second 
spine of the first dorsal. The anal is rounded: its first 
* Br. represents the rays within the gill-covers, which form the 
breathing apparatus of the animal—D. the dorsals—P, pectorals—V. 
ventrals—A. anal—C.caudal. The notations 1 | 13, 2 | 5, and 2 | 8, 
r-spectively indicate one hard spine, thirteen soft rays, etc. ete. 
