RIVER FISH AND FISHING. 873 
fish of medium size. Body deep, with high-arched back ; 
head small, with sharp teeth in the jaws and the roof of 
the mouth. The edges of the gill-covers are serrated, with 
a spine on the lower part. Colors as follows :—Back, 
deep olive-green, with broad black bars, gradually becom- 
ing white towards the belly. It has, however, many varie- 
ties and shades of color, sometimes being found, especially 
in the large clear spring lakes of the inland country, of a 
rich golden yellow, barred with dusky bands. There is a 
small variety known as the “sunfish,” or “ pumkin seed,” 
mottled with various colors, and a great favorite with boy 
anglers. The dorsal fin is furnished with spinous pro- 
longations, so sharp that it can scarcely be handled with 
impunity by the angler. It thrives best in large tidal 
rivers, where it seeks the point at which the water is usu- 
ally brackish, and grows there to an extent never seen 
elsewhere. It is a slow-growing fish, requiring many years 
to arrive at its full size. The perch spawns in the 
months of March and April. It isa gregarious fish, and 
_is very tenacious of life. 
