COLLECTION OF FISH. 44^ 



are particularly remarkable for the extension of 

 their pectoral fins, which has been the cause of 

 the surnames of volitans and evolans being given 

 to some of them ; there are two species in the 

 cabinet which have not been described. 



The family of the perch (perca) is as numerous 

 as the preceding ; its distinguishing character is 

 two fins on the back. There are in the collection 

 more than two hundred species, which M. Cuvier 

 has distributed into eighteen genera and many 

 sub-genera. We shall only mention those which 

 contain the most remarkable species. The first 

 are the surmullets (mullus), of which we have 

 fifteen species. The most celebrated is the red 

 surmullet from the Mediterranean, its back is 

 of a beautiful red, its belly silvery, and its flesh 

 is very delicate. 2d. The perch (perca), the 

 most common species of which inhabits fresh 

 waters. M. Cuvier has divided it into six sub- 

 genera. We will only mention the sandre perch 

 (perca lucio-perca, Lin.), a very delicate fish 

 which, from the flattened form of its snout 

 resembles the pike. A very fine specimen, given 

 to the Museum by the marquis de Bonnay, is 

 on the ceiling. We have thirty-four species 

 of the genus perca. 3d. The scicence, Cuv., have 

 an obtuse and scaly snout. Of the thirty-one 

 species in the Museum some are from the Indian 



