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WHITE-BAIT. 



THIS small fish, which is extremely plentiful at 

 particular seasons in the river Thames, is supposed 

 to be the young of some species of the genus Cyp- 

 rinus, though it is not agreed to what species it 

 should be most properly referred : its general 

 history is so well detailed by the ingenious author 

 of the British Zoology that it will be best given in 

 his own words. 



" It is evident that it is of the Carp or Cyprinus 

 genus : it has only three branchiostegous rays, and 

 one dorsal fin ; and in respect to the form of the 

 body is compressed like that of the Bleak. Its 

 usual length is two inches : the under jaw is the 

 longest : the irides silvery, the pupil black : the 

 dorsal fin is placed nearer to the head than to the 

 tail, and consists of about fourteen rays : the side- 

 line is strait : the tail forked : the tips black : the 

 head, sides, and belly are silvery ; the back tinged 

 with green." 



During the month of July, adds Mr. Pennant, 

 there appear in the Thames innumerable multi- 

 tudes of these small fishes, which are known to the 

 Londoners by the name of White-Bait. They are 

 esteemed very delicious when fried with fine flour, 

 and occasion, during the season, a vast resort of the 

 lower order of epicures to the taverns contiguous to 

 the places they are taken at. 



