2 ATHERINE. 



time, and it appears never to go to a considerable distance 

 from the shore. 



It inhabits the temperate regions of Europe, its most southern 

 limits being the Island of Madeira. In the Mediterranean it 

 is common, and is perhaps the species mentioned in a cursory 

 manner by Oppian. It is also more abundant on the west 

 and south of England than in the north or in Scotland, where, 

 however, in the Firth of Forth, it was discovered by Dr. 

 Parnell; so that we conclude its not being met with on the 

 east coast of England, northward of Dover, is rather caused by 

 the nature of the ground than the coldness of the climate. 

 Yet there is reason to believe that this fish is in a high degree 

 susceptible of the influences of cold; for besides that it goes 

 into deeper water or more sheltered places in winter, I have 

 been informed of instances where, in the shallow waters of a 

 harbour, numbers have been surprised by sudden frost, so as 

 to be left dead on the shore. Atherines sometimes assemble 

 about the ends of piers, where they take a bait readily; but 

 this would be tedious work for a fisherman who labours for 

 profit, and they are usually sought after with a net formed of 

 fine twine, by which large quantities are sometimes caught. 

 Three small boat loads have been taken at a single haul. 



The pretty look of this fish, and its resemblance at first sight 

 to the true Smelt, Osmerus eperlanus, although of a different 

 family, has secured for it a ready sale at our fashionable 

 watering-places; but among writers on natural history there is 

 much diversity of opinion as regards its excellency for the 

 table. By some it has been highly prized, especially when 

 large with roe, and fried without removing the entrails, and 

 we have Montagu's authority for its excellency in this condition; 

 but it has been so decidedly rejected by others as to have 

 afforded cause for supposing that even its name of Atherine 

 has been given it on account of its worthlessness. It seems 

 certain that when out of season the multitude of its small-pointed 

 bones are a material drawback from the pleasure of eating it. 



I have found the roe enlarged into the full size from the 

 middle of March to the end of August; and the spawn is 

 contained in a single lobe, which is enclosed in a black covering 

 of peritoneum, and has its origin near the backbone, from which 

 it passes forward across the intestine, a little before the vent. 



