546 



COMMON PERCH. 



pale violet-brown, marked at the back of the spiny- 

 part by a roundish black spot accompanied by a 

 smaller one : the rest of the fins, with the tail, are 

 red. Sometimes this fish varies in colour, the olive 

 assuming a richer cast of gilded green, and the dusky 

 bars appearing more numerous, and of a blueish 

 black. It is also occasionally observed to vary in 

 having the back unusually elevated, and the hind 

 part of the body, near the tail, distorted and curved 

 downwards : this variety, if such it may be called, 

 is commemorated by Mr. Pennant in the British 

 Zoology, and it appears, from the Fauna Suecica of 

 Linnaeus that the same takes place in some parts 

 of Sweden. 



The Perch usually spawns in the early part of 

 the spring, depositing a kind of extended bands of 

 gluten, throughout which are disposed the ova in a 

 sort of reticular direction. It is of a gregarious 

 disposition, and is fond of frequenting deep holes 

 in rivers which flow with a gentle current ; it is ex- 

 tremely voracious, and bites eagerly at a bait : it is 

 tenacious of life, and may be carried, according to 

 Mr. Pennant, to the distance of sixty miles in dry 

 straw, and yet survive the journey. It is one of 

 those fishes which were held in repute at the tables 

 of the ancient Romans, and is in general esteem at 

 the present day, being considered as remarkably 

 firm and delicate. In some of the Northern regions 

 a species of isinglass is prepared from the skin. 



