264 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



Afterwards I ascertained from good authority that it is some- 

 times taken in the Brandywine, at Wilmington, Del., and at 

 Trenton, N. J. 



the lateral line ; sides silvery ; belly brilliantly white. Branchial rays 

 8 ; D. 11, C. 20 ; P. 11 ; V. 8, A. 15.— The second dorsal has about twenty 

 minute but distinct cartilaginous rays ; tail forked, upper lobe slightly 

 longest. 



" The points of difference between this and the 0. viridescens are the 

 more southern habitat of the new species, its smaller and more uniform 

 size, and the distinct roseate purple of the streak above the lateral line. 

 0. viridescens (the northern Smelt) attains the length of 12 inches. I 

 have seen the new species here described in quantities at New Brunswick, 

 New Jersey, but never exceeding 6^ inches exclusive of caudal. 



" Storer enumerates 14 rays in the pectorals of O. viridescetis, but on a 

 recent examination of that species I found only 11, as in the new species, 

 and that the fin rays of both are identical. 



" There are several circumstances of interest connected with this little 

 fish. It is the smallest of all the Salmonidae, except the two genera of 

 Scopelus and Mallotus. It is the only fish of the Salmon family, besides 

 the Brook Trout, found in our waters, and the only species of anadromous 

 salmonidcB that visits the Delaware and its tributaries. Whether this fish 

 enters any fresh rivers south of Cape Henlopen, is a matter of conjecture, 

 but I have no doubt, if properly sought for, it may be found very early in 

 the spring, in many streams falling into the Delaware, particularly in 

 rapids or near the falls of a dam which obstructs the upward flow of the 

 tide. 



" It appears to visit our waters only for the purpose of spawning, and is 

 found at the falls below Fairmount Dam for a few days in February or 

 early in March. In those I examined a few days since, I found the milt 

 partly discharged from the male and exuding in a semi-fluid state from 

 the vent. Many of the females had cast their spawn, in others it was 

 partially discharged, and the ova were found sticking to the sides of the 

 fish as they lay in a heap. 



" I have been told that these fish can be taken occasionally in February 

 along the wharves and in the docks of the Delaware with a cast-net. 

 They are taken with cast and scoop nets at Fairmount Dam. They are 

 common and abundant at New Brunswick, New Jersey, on the Raritan. 



