P E R C A . 273 



lofty mountain, the perch is always to be found. 

 They swim swiftly, keeping near the surface, feed- 

 ing on flies and minute insects. In the lake of Ge- 

 neva a female was caught, from which 992,000 

 ova were taken. This fact shows very clearly 

 that it is marvellously prolific, yet not ten in a 

 hundred of the ova arrive at maturity, being the 

 food of others. To the Greeks and Romans this 

 fish w T as perfectly familiar. 



Common Perch, — P erca Fluviatilis . A beau- 

 tiful fish, this, having an olive brown tinge, inter- 

 mingled with a golden hue, — together with dark 

 bands, transversely coursing the sides. The first 

 dorsal fin is somewhat larger than the second, and 

 marked posteriorly by a particular dark spot. All 



THE COMMON PERCH. 



the fins are tinged with a lively red, when first 

 brought out of the water ; the same color is also 

 observed on the under edge of the gill membrane. 

 18 



