278 SMELT. 



to three or four inches in length. In August, and afterwards, 

 they abound, and they continue to pass upward and down 

 with the tide, until their full-grown parents and predecessors 

 are coming up again to breed, at which time they take their 

 final departure. From the difference of season observed in 

 their migrations by these smaller and larger examples, with 

 some other variations of habit, and a degree of dissimilarity 

 in form, it was once supposed that these old and younger 

 fish were of different species, and as such they are spoken of 

 by Jonston, as well as by Bloch, who has given a representa- 

 tion of both; but at this time no doubt remains of their being 

 of one kind, and only in different stages of growth. 



The Smelt is an inhabitant of the more northern portions 

 of a temperate climate, and is common so far north as Sweden. 

 In Scotland, and the east and west coasts of England it is 

 abundant; but, as appeal's from Mr. Thompson, it is less so, 

 and local, in Ireland, and none have been recosrnised along 

 the shores of England from the Thames westward to the 

 Land's End. On the north coast of Cornwall, as about St. 

 Ives, a few have been taken, and Mr. Dillwyn mentions them 

 as occurring at Swansea, although rarely, and we have noticed 

 that there is an established fishery for Smelts in the Severn. 

 I have been informed, on what appears to be competent 

 authority, that they are not uncommon at Brest; and Duhamel 

 says it is taken in abundance at the mouth of the Seine. 



Mr. Yarrell refers to some trials which had been made to 

 preserve these fish in ponds of fresh water, and we learn 

 from Nilsson that such is tlieir usual habit in the middle and 

 north of Sweden; where they are found in lakes which have 

 a sandy bottom throughout the year, except when they quit 

 them for the purpose of shedding their spawn, which is early 

 in April. It is then they leave the deeper water, and pass up 

 in thousands to the shallower shores of rivers, where they are 

 caught in multitudes. It is there observed that the schools 

 of Smelts of larger and smaller size do not associate together; 

 in which, however, they only follow the example of several 

 other species of sociable fishes. The smaller Smelts are con- 

 sidered as good bait for the Pike. 



The Smelt rarely exceeds nine or ten inches in Length: the 

 example described measured seven inches to the fork of the 



