194 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



The Gray Pike Pearch, Imcioperca Grisea, would seem to be a 

 permanent variety of the above, if not a distinct species ; it differs 

 from it in size, never exceeding ten or twelve inches, in color and 

 several other important particulars. It is found in the same waters 

 «vith the preceding species, and is equally prized as an article of food. 



Richardson's Pike Pearch, the Canadian Sandre, Lucioperea 

 Canadensis, is another small distinct species, found in the river St. 

 Lawrence. Its principal characteristic difference lies in the fact that 

 the operculum has five acute spines on the lower margin. In color 

 i* f is dark olive green above, and whitish beneath, with a few pale- 

 vellow spots on the sides below the lateral line. It does not exceed 

 fourteen inches in length. It is, like the others of its species, esteemed 

 an nxcellent fish on the table, and, being a free biter and hard puller, 

 afiurds good sport to th« angler. It is not, however, of so great im- 

 pijrtauce that I care to enter into a more minute description. 



f bis is the fish concerning which a controversy has been going on 

 between " Dinks " and some Western fishermen, who insist o~\ calling 

 it a Pike, as distinct from Pickerel. It is a ti ue Pearch, aad has no 

 connexion with any of the Pike family. 



