THE ALLICE SHAD. 33 1 



bluLsh-grey : belly silvery-white ; dorsal and caudal fins dusky ; ven- 

 trals, anal, and pectorals, pure white ; gill-covers with yellowish- 

 green reflections when viewed in a particular light. First ray of the 

 dorsal fin commencing exactly half-way between the point of the 

 upper jaw and the base of the last ray of the anal fin, the third and 

 fourth rays the longest, not quite as long as the base of the fin, tlie 

 third ray when folded down reaches to the base of the last ray, the 

 three first rays simple, all the rest branched, the last ray exactly half 

 the length of the eighth ; the summit of the fin slightly concave. 

 Caudal fin very much forked ; base of the anal fin about equal in 

 length to that of the dorsal ; all the rays short, the third the longest, 

 as long as the twelfth ray of the dorsal, the middle rays shorter than 

 the lateral ones. Origin of the ventrals placed under the fifth ray 

 of the dorsal ; pectorals pointed, the second ray the longest, equal 

 to the length of the base of the dorsal fin. Operculum rounded at 

 its upper margin, and nearly straight at its posterior border ; sub- 

 operculum broad and angular. Eye rather small, the diameter one- 

 fifth the length of the head ; under jaw the longest, no teeth in either 

 jaw, on the vomer, tongue, or palatines. Scales large, thin, and 

 very deciduous, extending half-way down the caudal rays ; ventral 

 fin with a long axillary scale ; lateral line very indistinct ; belly 

 strongly serrated, with a number of strong teeth, extending from 

 under the interoperculum to the anal aperture; head flattened on its 

 upper surface ; a large dusky spot behind the upper margin of each 

 gill-cover ; operculum roughened with a number of raised lines 

 placed obliquely ; suboperculum perfectly smooth. Number of fin 

 rays — ' 



D. 19; V. 9; P. 15 ; A. 23; C. 19. 



This species of Shad is noticed by Pennant as sometimes 

 to be taken the weight of eight pounds, but its more ge- 

 neral size is from four to five pounds, whereas the Twaite 

 shad is never found to exceed the weight of two pounds. 

 The AUice Shad is said to be found in the Severn in greater 

 numbers and in higher perfection than in any other river 

 in Great Britain, and is esteemed a very delicate fish about 

 the time of its first appearance, especially in that part of 

 the river that flows by Gloucester, where they are taken 

 by nets and usually-sold dearer thari salmon. Dr Hastings 

 says, " they generally make their appearance there in May, 

 though sometimes in April. This, liowever, depends a 



