RIVER GARDENS; 
This handsome fish is found in nearly all the lakes 
and rivers of temperate climates, hut in the colder 
regions, towards the north, he becomes rare, and 
at last disappears. Even in the lochs north of 
the Eorth he is but sparingly found, and entirely 
wanting in the more remote lochs of Scotland. Yet 
his distribution is somewhat capricious, for although 
he is not found in Orkney or Shetland, he is described 
by Nellson as not infrequent in Scandinavia. # 
The Perch, if not of too large size, in which case 
he would he dangerous to his neighbours, is exceed¬ 
ingly well suited to the Aquarium, both on account 
of his robust constitution, and his susceptibility of 
being tamed, to say nothing of his handsome 
appearance. Mr. Jesse, in speaking of Perch placed 
in a Vivarium in Bushy Park, says, that after be¬ 
coming familiar with their new mode of life, they 
came up boldly and took worms greedily from the 
fingers. This fish is, in fact, one of the most fear¬ 
less of his tribe, and his rashness often proves his 
destruction, for he is generally the first prize of the 
young angler. Perch have been known to breed in 
small vases, and there is little doubt that they 
might, with only ordinary care, bring up a nume¬ 
rous family in a well-managed Aquarium. They are 
so hardy that they live for many hours out of water, 
50 
