PERCHES. 
57 
differ considerably in subordinate points. Five 
leading types are seen to subsist^ around which 
so many groups, called Sub-Families, are arranged. 
These we shall briefly notice. 
The true Perches {Percina) have two distinct 
dorsal fins, with the membrane which connects 
the rays semi-transparent and nearly colourless. 
The pectorals and ventrals are obtuse, or some- 
what rounded ; the former contain each five soft 
rays ; the latter are placed beneath the pectorals. 
The form of the body is oblong ; the scales are 
comparatively large ; the mouth is wide, and fur- 
nished with short and small teeth much crowded, 
without any larger pointed teeth, resembling 
canines, at the sides. The genus Lucioperca^ as 
its name, signifying Pike-perch, expresses, has the 
structure of a Perch with the form and appear- 
ance, and even the ferocity of a Pike ; while the 
DiploprioUj of the coast of Java, and still more 
the Enoplosus of Australia, might readily be mis- 
taken for a true Chmtodon^ having not only the 
j short, high, compressed form of that genus, with 
I its tall fins, but the small mouth, and delicate 
I teeth, and even the characteristic colours and 
I markings of Ch^Btodon^ the former being yellow, 
! with a black vertical band through the eye, and 
: another across the body, and the latter silvery 
I white, with seven or eight vertical bands. Yet 
I in each case the fins are destitute of scales, the 
gill-plates are spinous, and all the essential 
, characters of true Perches, are exhibited. 
I The Serrans {Serranina), a very numerous sub- 
family, are distinguished by having the two dor- 
sals united into a single fin, the place of the 
j division being marked, however, by a depression 
