THE PERCH. 235 



angler. For real sport, however, and the exercise of an 

 angler's art in perch fishing, I prefer "roving" with Not- 

 tingham tackle, or rather an adaptation of it — a kind of 

 live baiting, in fact — with a single gudgeon or minnow, 

 hooked through the lip or back, and, regulated as to 

 depth by a float, allowed to work its way down stream by 

 a bank or line of willows. 



I have found January and February the best months for 

 perch fishing. Strangely enough, Isaak Walton says the 

 perch " is very abstemious in winter ." 



I hardly call the perch a good sporting fish ; and, like 

 jack, the larger they get the less sport in proportion do 

 they show. Walton, however, says he is "valiant to 

 defend himself.'" 



Of the culinary merits of Perca fluviatilis. I nave not 

 many words of commendation for our fresh-water fish 

 generally ; but a perch, i. e. a good river perch, has de- 

 cided claims on our palatal consideration. Ausonius thus 

 introduces him : — 



" Nee te, delicias mensarum, Perca silebo " — 



and the lines which follow have been thus translated, — 



" Prince of the prickly cohort, bred in lakes 

 To feast our boards, what sapid, boneless flakes 

 Thy solid flesh supplies ! Tho' river-fed, 

 No daintier dish in ocean's pastures bred 

 Swims thy compeer ; scarce mullet may compete 

 With thee for fibre firm and flavour sweet.'' 



The perch was held in high esteem among the ancients. 

 One enthusiast speaks of its " flower-like " odour. Galen 

 prescribes it for invalids generally; and one famous 

 doctor, though he taboos all other fish, flesh, and fowl 



