FAMILY, VI— CLUPEID^. 623 



Family, YI— CLUPEID^, Cuvier. 



Gill-openings usually very wide : pseudobranohiae, when present, well developed. Abdomen mostly 

 compressed, generally into a sharp edge, and usually serrated. Opercular pieces four. Eyes lateral, with or 

 without adipose lids. Margin of the upper jaw formed mesially by the premaxillaries, laterally by the 

 maxillaries, which are composed of three pieces not ossified together. Mouth may have a deep cleft, with 

 small premaxillaries and the maxilla elongated, and either the upper or lower jaw projecting: or the 

 mouth may be transverse. Barbels absent. Fin rays articulated. A single dorsal with a few or moderate 

 number of weak rays ; anal sometimes many-rayed. Scales on the body : as a rule none on the head. 

 Lateral-line mostly absent. Stomach with a " cul de sac." Air-vessel more or less simple. Pyloric 

 appendages, when present, numerous. 



The herrings are well represented in the Seas of India, and are largely consumed by the native 

 population. As a rale they are much more abundant along the Malabar than the Coromandel Coast. The 

 oil Sardine (Gltqiea Zon^iceps), comes in vast numbers more especially to Malabar, but is uncertain as to its 

 movements, occasionally being absent for many consecutive years, as will be alluded to under the head of the 

 species. The Hilsa fish (Glupea ilislia), at certain periods of the year ascends the larger rivers for the 

 purpose of depositing its ova,* and is then captured in enormous quantities, its flesh being considered a great 

 delicacy. , 



Geographical distribution. — The herrings are found in most seas and many enter fresh waters. 



SYNOPSIS OF GENERA. 



First group — Engeaulifoemes. 



Upper jaw prominent. Mouth with a very deep cleft. Premaxillaries small and united to the 

 maxillaries, the latter being elongated. Eyes covered by skin. 



1. Engraulis — No pectoral filaments. Extent of union between the gill-membranes short. Abdomen 

 serrated, p. 624. 



2. Coilia — Upper pectoi'al rays produced into free filaments. Abdomen serrated, p. 630. 



Second group— Chatoessiformes. 

 Mouth transverse, narrow, nearly or quite inferior, with the upper jaw projecting over the lower. 

 Eyes with free adipose lids. Abdomen serrated. 



3. Chatoessus. Fourth branchial arch with an accessory organ, p. 632. 



Third group — CLUPEairoEMEs. 

 Upper jaw not projecting. Eyes with free adipose lids. Abdomen serrated. 



k Chipea— Mouth antero-lateral. Teeth minute or absent. Abdominal serrature commencing at the 

 thorax or pectoral fins, p. 634. 



5. Corica — Mouth antero-lateral. Teeth when present rudimentary. Abdominal serrature commencing 

 behind the pectoral fins, p. 641. 



6. Pellona — Under jaw projecting and obtuse. Ventral fins present : anal elongated, p. 642. 



7. Opisthopterus — Similar to Pellona but destitute of ventral fins, p. 646. 



8. Eacomda— Similar to Fellona but destitute of ventral and anal fins, p. 646. 



Fourth group — Ddssumiekmfoemes. 

 Mouth antero-lateral, the upper jaw not projecting. Eyes with free adipose lids. No osseous gular 

 plates. Abdominal edge smooth. 



9. Dussumieria — Dorsal opposite the ventral fin. Teeth small, but not decidu(]us, p. 647. 



10. Spratelloides — Dorsal opposite the ventral fin. Teeth, if present, deciduous, p. 648. 



Fifth group — Albclsformes. 

 Mouth inferior and of moderate width : upper jaw projecting. Teeth in jaws. 



11. Alhula — Branchiostegals numerous. Eyes with free adipose lids. Abdomen smooth and not 

 seiTated. Lateral-line distinct, p. 648. 



* Anadromo'm is a term employed for such as live for the most part of the year in the sea, where they attain maturity, but 

 deposit their ova in fresh waters. HinA " on the fisheries of Canada." 



