254 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



This appears in some years in incredible numbers on the shores of Massachusetts, according 

 to Dr. Storer, and will probably be found on our own coast. 



Dr. Mitchill has indicated, rather than described, two small herrings from the waters of 

 New- York, which may be the young of other species. The notes which he has left do not 

 enable me to place them with sufficient accuracy, but I leave them provisionally here. I have 

 not met with them. 



THE SATIN-STRIPED HERRING. 



Clupca vjttata. 

 Satin-striped Herring, C. vitlata. Mitchill, Lit. and Phil. Soc. Vol. 1, p. 456. 



Characteristics. With large projecting upper jaws, small lower jaws, silver-striped sides, and 

 forked tail. Length 3^ inches. 



Description. " Length about three and a half inches ; depth rather more than half an inch. 

 Inhabits the salt water, and resembles an atherine. The upper jaw is much more conside- 

 rable in size than the lower, and terminates in a distinct nose or snout. Beneath it, the lower 

 mandible is received, and shuts closely. The mouth has no proper teeth, but both the jaws 

 have very minute and exact serrated edges. The throat, on examination, is found to be sur- 

 rounded with a row of bristles, long and diposed funnel-wise, and investing the sides of the 

 tongue. One dorsal fin near the middle of the back. The vent is rather nearer the tail than 

 to the head. The ventrals small, and six-rayed. Eyes large and yellowish. Gill-covers 

 silvery white. Belly carinated, and moderately serrated. Branchial membrane, eleven or 

 twelve rays. Anal fin about twenty-one." 



This can scarcely be identical with the C. argentina of Swainson, from Brazil ; but the 

 characters are too meagre to enable us to make a comparison. 



THE BLUE HERRING. 



Clupea ccerulea. 

 C. ccerulea, Tlie Blue Herring. Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. Vol. 1, p. 457i 



Characteristics. " With bluish complexion, large head, forked tail, and small pectoral and 

 abdominal fins." Length three inches. 



Description. " Length three inches ; depth nearly one, being a deep fish in proportion to 

 his length. The scales are large for a fish of his size, and are readily deciduous. The skin 

 is free from spots or stripes, and is of a bluish color. This is less considerable on the belly 

 than on the back. The eyes and head are large. The jaws about even. Tail deeply forked. 

 Belly sharply and delicately serrated. Pectoral fins small ; ventral smaller. Body in .some 



