CLASS PISCES. 441 



the back, opposite to the middle of this anal, is a small 

 dorsal with soft rays. 



One species is known, belonging to the fresh-water 

 ponds of the East Indies, Gymnotus notopterus, Pall., 

 Spic. VI. pi. vi. f. 2 ; Clupea synura, Schn. 426 ; No- 

 taptere kapirat, Lacep. l 



Engraulis, Cuv. (The Anchovies), 



Form a genus sufficiently different from that of the 

 herrings, having the mouth cleft far behind the eyes, 

 and the gills still more open, with rays to the number of 

 twelve or more ; a small pointed muzzle, under which 

 are fixed very small intermaxillaries, projects in front 

 of their mouth ; the maxillaries are straight and elon- 

 gated. 



The most known do not even possess the trenchant 

 belly ; their anal is short, and the dorsal placed 

 opposite to the ventrals. 



CI. encrasicholns, Lin., Bl. 302. (the common an- 

 chovy) ; a span long, with the back bluish brown, 

 flanks and belly silvery ; is caught in innumerable 

 quantities in the Mediterranean, and even as far as 

 Holland. It is prepared, after removing the head 

 and intestines, to serve as a sauce, or seasoning. The 

 anchovy thus prepared is in very general use. 



Engr. meletta, Cuv., Duham, Sect. VI. pi. hi. f. 5 ; 



1 This is certainly the Tauche de mer, of Bontius, Ind. 78. but 

 not the capirat, or pangais, Ren. feuille, xvi. f. 90. which has long 

 ventrals. 



