Rainbow Herring 



Examples from Sebago Lake recently obtained by Dr. Ken- 

 dall measure 12 inches in total length, and even larger ones 

 occur in the Belgrade Lakes of Maine. 



In Wilton Pond, Kennebec County, Maine, is a land-locked 

 smelt which has been recognized as a subspecies of the common 

 smelt under the name Osmerus mordax spectrum. It seems to 

 be distinguished by a somewhat shorter head and more slender 

 body. 



In Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine, is found another subspecies, 

 O. mordax abbotti, which has the head still shorter and the bodv 

 more slender; maxillary reaching posterior margin of pupil. 



These subspecies are of doubtful validity. 



Rainbow Herring 



Osmerus dcntex Steindachner 



On both coasts of Bering Sea and south to northern China 

 this smelt is found. It is a brilliantly coloured little fish with 

 the flesh of firmer texture than in other species. About Bristol 

 Bay it constitutes an important part of the food of the natives. 



Colour, pale olive on back, the scales edged with darker; 

 side above lateral line purple, changing below to blue, and then 

 to violet and gold; under parts silvery, with rosy sheen, the 

 belly satiny- white; fins plain, slightly golden. 



GENUS HYPOMESUS GILL 

 The Surf Smelts 



Body rather elongate, moderately compressed, covered with 

 thin scales ol moderate size; head rather pointed; mouth moderate, 

 the short maxillary not quite reaching middle of eye, its out- 

 line below broadly convex; lower jaw projecting; teeth minute, 

 on jaws, vomer, palatines, and tongue; ventrals inserted directly 

 under middle of dorsal, midway between eye and base of cau- 

 dal. Small fishes of the North Pacific. 



