HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 163 



The pectorals are rather higher than the length of the dorsal fin ; at their base, 

 they have on each side a broad axillary plate, concealing a considerable portion of 

 their extent. 



The ventrals arise opposite the anterior portion of the dorsal ; they have at their 

 bases, also, axillary plates. 



The anterior portion of the anal fin is as high again as the posterior portion ; it is 

 rather longer than the dorsal fin. 



The caudal fin is deeply falcate ; the scales are continued high up on its central rays, 

 which are transparent and exceedingly delicate ; the rays are articulated. Caudal pouches. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 17. P. 16. V. 8. A. 20. C. 20. 



Length, fifteen inches. 



Remarks. This species, which does not appear in great numbers, is known at Prov- 

 incetown by the name of " Hickory-Shad." It is taken in nets while fishing for mack- 

 erel, in May and June. It is a lean fish, and is not used for food. 



Massachusetts, Storer. 



GENUS in. ENGRAULIS, Cuv. 



• 



Body rounded or compressed. Mouth large ; snout protruded beyond the lower jaw. 

 Intermaxillaries very small, and hidden under the snout ; maxillaries slender, stretching 

 over the cheeks ; a few teeth on front of the vomer ; palatine and pterygoidian teeth 

 sometimes reduced to mere asperities. Gill-openings veiy large, and continuous under 

 the throat. Branchiostegal membrane narrow, and hidden under the jaw; its rays being 

 short, and variable in number. Caudal fin forked. Dorsal fin rather small. Insertion 

 of pectorals near the gill-openings. Ventrals very small. 



Engraulis vittata, B. and G. 

 The American Anchovy. 

 (Plate XXVII. Fig. 3.) 



Clupea vittata, Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. T., i. p. 456. 

 Clupea earulea, Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 457. 

 Clupea vittata, Dekat, Report, p. 254. 



" " Storer, Mem. Atner. Acad., New Series, u. p. 457. 



" " Synopsis, p. 205. 



Clupea earulea, Dekat, Report, p. 254. 



" " Storer, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 457. 



" " " Synopsis, p. 205. 



Engraulis Mitchilli, Val., Cdv. et Val., Nat. Hist, des Pois., xxi. p. 50. 

 Enijratdis vittata, B. and G., Smithsonian Institution's Ninth Annual Report, p. 33. 

 VOL. VI. NEW SERIES. 29 



