BRITISH, COLONIAL AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 581 



decided, that it belongs to the salmonidse, to which it now seems 

 settled it properly appertains. 



The capelin is from 4 to 7 inches in length, the under jaw longer 

 than the upper ; the back and top of the head a dull leek green, with 

 bright green and yellow reflections, when moved in the light; sides 

 and belly covered with delicate and very bright silvery scales, which 

 are dotted on the margins with black specks; the back covered with 

 small smooth grains, like shagreen. 



The manner in which the capelin deposits its spawn, is one of the 

 most curious circumstances attending its natural history. The male 

 fishes are somewhat larger than the female, and are provided with a 

 sort of ridge, projecting on each side of their back bones, similar to 

 the eaves of a house, in which the female capelin is deficient. The 

 latter, on approaching the beach to deposit its spawn, is attended by 

 two male fishes, who huddle the female between them, until the whole 

 body is concealed under the projecting ridges, and her head only is 

 visible. In this position, all three run together, with great swiftness, 

 upon the sands, when the males, by some inherent imperceptible 

 power, compress the body of the female between their own, so as to 

 expel the spawn from an orifice near the tail. Having thus accom- 

 plished its delivery, the three capelins separate, and paddling with 

 their whole force through the shallow water of the beach, generally 

 succeed in regaining once more the bosom of the deep ; although many 

 fail to do so, and are cast upon the shore, especially if the surf be at 

 all heavy. 



The Rev. Mr. Anspach, in his work on Newfoundland, thus de- 

 scribes the arrival of the capelin schull at Conception Bay, where he 

 resided for some years : 



" It is impossible to conceive, much more to describe, the splendid 

 appearance, on a beautiful moonlight night at this time. Then, the 

 vast surface of the Bay is completely covered with myriads of fishes, 

 of various kinds and sizes, all actively engaged, either in pursuing or 

 avoiding each other. The whales, alternately rising and plunging, 

 throwing into the air spouts of water; the cod-fish, bounding above 

 the waves, and reflecting the light of the moon from their silvery sur- 

 face; the capelins, hurrying away in immense shoals, to seek a refuge 

 on the shore, where each retiring wave leaves multitudes skipping 

 upon the sand, an easy prey to the women and children, who stand 

 there with barrows and buckets, ready to seize upon the precious and 

 plentiful booty; while the fishermen in their skiffs, with nets made 

 for that purpose, are industriously engaged in securing a sufficient 

 quantity of this valuable bait for their fishery." 



Like the common smelt, the capelin possesses the cucumber smell; 

 but it differs from the smelt in never entering fresh water streams. 



As an article of bait for cod, and other fish of that class, the 

 capelin is of much importance ; wherever abundant, the cod fishing is 

 excellent. It has been found as far north in the arctic regions as man 

 has yet penetrated ; and it forms so important an article of food in 

 Greenland, that it has been termed the daily bread of the natives. 

 In Newfoundland, it is dried in large quantities, and exported to 

 London, wkere it is sold principally in the oyster shops. 



