PERCH. 37 
though the perch conform more nearly to their 
environment. The reflection of the leaves and 
the waving of the weeds cause the water to 
be dark olive-green, and before the “bass” 
rise to the warmer water it is difficult to detect 
them in the deeps. As they approach the surface, 
their easy evolutions and bright colouring are 
at once seen. The burnished armour is deep 
bronze, done with bars of darker green, the 
whole shaded by a sheen of peacock iridescence. 
The fins show as sparks of fire in the dark 
water, and alternately the dorsal spine is erected 
and depressed. Perfect amity seems to exist 
betwixt the perch and his neighbours—so long 
as he is allowed “to rule the roast.” If a 
roach or gudgeon so much as attempt to in- 
vade his feeding-ground, he loses not a moment 
in preparing his weapons. It has been well 
said that the armament of spines on a perch’s 
back acts as the index of his mind; and the 
conceit recommends itself to any one who has 
observed the fish in its haunts. Just as the 
smaller birds drop into their leafy retreats at 
the shadow of a hawk, so the small fry of the 
waters rush to their rests at the green glint of 
the ‘“ water-wolf.” Not so, however, the perch. 
He parades himself before the pike, at the 
same time erecting his spiny armour. Not only 
