FISHES. 145 



the Pacific coasts of North America, and a fourth species, (O.vnerus dentex), in the 

 corresponding parts of Asia. 



The genus Tlialeichthijs contains but a single species, the famous eulachon 

 or candle-fish ( Thaleichtliys pacijicus), of the eastern shores of the North Pacifi(-. It 

 differs from Osmerus in the feeble teeth, smaller scales, and dusky coloration. This 

 little fish has the form of the smelt and reaches the length of nearly a foot. In 

 the spring, it ascends in enormous numbers all the rivers north of tlie Columbia, for a 

 short distance, for the purpose of spawning. These runs take place in Fraser Kiver, in 

 May, at the time of the best salmon runs. Various predatory fishes and sea-birds per- 

 secute the eulachon during its runs, and even the stomachs of the sturgeons are 

 often found full of the little fishes, which they have taken in by their sucker-like 

 mouths. At the time of the runs, the eulachon are extremely fat, so much so, that it 





Fk;. Qi.— OsNU'run epertanus, Eur'jpt 



is said that when dried, and a wick drawn through the body, they may be used 

 as candles. On Nass River, in British Columbia, a stream in which their run is 

 greatest, there is a factory for the manufacture of eulachon oil from them. This deli- 

 cate oil is proposed as a substitute for the cod-liver oil used in medicine. Whatever 

 may be its merits in this regard, it has the disadvantage in respect to salability of being 

 semi-solid or lard-like at ordinary temperatures, requiring melting to make it flow as 

 oil. The eulachon is a favorite pan-fish in British Cohiinbia. The writer has had con- 

 siderable experience with it, broiled and fried, in its native region, and has no hesita- 

 tion in declaring it to be the best flavored food-fish in American waters. It is fat, 

 tender, juicy, and richly flavored, with comparatively few troublesome bones. It does 

 not, however, bear transportation well. 



The capelin {Mallotus mllosus) closely resembles the eulachon, differing mainly 

 in its broader jiectorals and in the peculiar scales of the males. In the male fish, a 

 VOL. m. — 10 



