THE HERRINGS 



Family XIII. Clupeidcs 



Body oblong or elongate, usually much compressed, covered 

 with cycloid or pectinated scales; belly sometimes rounded, 

 sometimes compressed, in which case it is often armed with 

 bony serratures; head naked, usually compressed; mouth rather 

 large, terminal, the jaws about equal; premaxillaries not pro- 

 tractile; teeth mostly small, often feeble or wanting; gillrakers 

 long and slender; gill-membranes not connected, free from the 

 isthmus; branchiostegals usually free, 6 to 15; pseudobranchiae 

 present; no lateral line; anal fm usually rather long, caudal 

 forked. 



This is a large family, embracing about 30 genera and 150 

 species. Most of the species are saltwater, inhabiting all seas, 

 and usually swimming in immense schools. Many species are 

 anadromous, ascending freshwater streams to spawn, and some 

 species remain in fresh water permanently. 



The northern and freshwater species, as in many other 

 families, differ from the tropical forms in having a larger num- 

 ber of vertebrae. 



None of the species is considered a game-fish, but many of 

 them are among the most important food-fishes. In American 

 waters the family is represented by 16 genera, and about 38 

 species, some 10 of which are of commercial importance. 



a. Scales with their posterior margins entire and rounded; in- 

 testinal canal of moderate length. 



h. Vomer with teeth ; Clupea, 96 



bb. Vomer without teeth. 



c. Ventral scutes very weak, the belly more or less rounded; 



ventrals under middle of dorsal; Clitpanodon, 99 



cc. Ventral scutes strong, the belly compressed; ventrals below 

 or slightly behind front of dorsal. 



d. Premaxillaries meeting at a large angle, so that the tip of 



the upper jaw does not appear to be notched; cheek 



longer than deep ; Pomolobus loi 



dd. Premaxillaries meeting in front at a very acute angle, so 

 that the emarginate front of the upper jaw receives the 



95 



