ATHERINE. 



edge of each jaw : the eye large ; top of the head flat, with 

 a ridge descending on each side to the nose. 



The first dorsal fin commences about the length of the 

 head from the nape ; the second dorsal begins at the same 

 distance behind the origin of the first, and ends at the same 

 distance from the base of the caudal fin-rays ; the ventrals 

 originate, on a vertical line, with the ends of the pectoral fin- 

 rays, and the ventral and anal fins begin a little in advance of 

 each dorsal fin respectively : the tail deeply forked, the long- 

 est rays nearly equal to the length of the head ; the vent a 

 small circular orifice in a line under the tips of the first dorsal 

 fin-rays when folded down. 



Colour of the cheeks, irides, gill-covers, base of pectoral 

 fins, and broad side band, shining silvery white ; the other 

 parts of the body a pale transparent flesh colour ; the upper 

 part of the back and head freckled with small black spots ; 

 the membranes of the fins yellowish white. 



Considerable numbers of the Atherinc are caught by 

 anglers from projecting points at various localities along the 

 southern coast. Poole Quay is a favourite spot. The fish 

 bite voraciously at any bait that is offered to them, and even 

 at that season when they are heaviest with roe, which is not 

 the case with fishes generally. 



It spawns in May or June. The number of fin-rays are 



1st D. 8 : 2nd D. 1 + 12 : P. 15 : V. 1+5 : A. 1 + 14 : C. 17 : Vert. 50. 



