366 ON THE CLTJPEIDjE OF AUSTRALIA, 



one of the dorsal ; the ventrals are rather smaller than the 

 pectorals, are formed of only one simple ray, and five branched 

 ones, and are placed a little in advance of the dorsal ; the 

 pectorals are formed of fifteen rays." 



" The colour of the upper parts is of a light greyish green 

 with purple tinges ; the head is brown, the lower parts are very 

 silvery ; there is a narrow, yellow, longitudinal streak from the 

 upper part of the operculum to the base of the caudal, and 

 below this extends a broad, longitudinal, silvery, and very 

 brilliant band, having sometimes a blue tinge ; the operculum 

 and throat are very iridescent ; the fins are diaphanous ; the tail 

 is yellow at its base, and obscure towards the extremity ; eye, 

 silvery. After preservation in spirits the Fish appears very 

 silvery, with the upper parts of a dark blue." 



Count Castlenau also states that it is very common in the 

 Melbourne market throughout the year, and that it is known to 

 the fishermen by the name of " white bait." 



This Fish is alluded to by both Mr. Hutton and Dr. Hector as 

 a New Zealand species, but they do not seem themselves to have 

 seen it, and they mention it (following Dr. Gunther) as a variety of 

 the European species, a supposition which Count Castlenau has 

 shown to be erroneous. 



I have never seen this Fish or indeed any species of Engraulis 

 in Sydney, nor is sufficient information procurable from 

 Melbourne, where it is said to be so common, to enable me to 

 ascertain whether in point of excellence it at all equals its 

 congener, the Anchovy of the Mediterranean. But there is one 

 fact connected with its little known history, which while it proves 

 if correct its specific difference from the European species, may 

 also be taken as an indication of its inferior value in an economic 

 sense, it is the assertion that it is plentiful at Melbourne at all 

 seasons of the year. 



Those species only of the Herring tribe which are gregarious and 

 periodic in their visits, such as the Herring, the Pilchard, the 



