262 THE FRESH- WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



fifteen of the remarkable three-pronged abdominal scales, or spine-scutes, 

 behind the base of the ventral fin. The colour is the same. The large 

 blackish bloteh behind the upper part of the gill-opening is usually followed 

 by a series of from four to eight similar spots, but in the young fish these are 

 more numerous, and may extend to the tail ; but the character is not an 

 invariable distinction from the Allis Shad, because there may be, according to 

 Dr. Giinther, similar spots in that species. 



In view of this close resemblance, the different geographical distribution is 

 remarkable. 



The habits of the Tvvaite Shad are similar to those of the allied species. It 

 enters the Severn and the Thames to spawn during the month of May ; and 

 Yarrell states that great numbers are taken every season below Greenwich 

 opposite the Isle of Dogs,and it was formerly abundant at Millbank and above 

 Putney Bridge. Young specimens taken in October measure two and a half 

 inches ; in the following spring they are four inches long. 



Blanchard states that it arrives in the rivers in France some weeks later 

 than the G. alosa. 



Steindachner found it in the Minho, in Spain, in October, and noticed it in 

 Lisbon fish market in November. 



In the east of Europe it replaces Clupea alosa. In North Germany it is 

 known as the Perpel, but appears to be taken only occasionally, though it 

 comes into the Haffs from the Baltic in great numbers. It is in no demand 

 for food, though Benecke differs from other authors in regarding its flesh as 

 well flavoured ; but this may be due to crustaceans being its common food 

 on the Prussian coast. It is a. characteristic fish of Scandinavia and Denmark, 

 but does not appear to occur in Russia. It is found in the Nile. 



It is a smaller fish than the Allis Shad, not often exceeding a size of 

 thirteen to fifteen inches, and the weight is about two pounds. 



The skeleton includes fifty-six vertebrae. 



Clupea harengus (LINNAEUS). Whitebait. 



Pennant, who wrote his "British Zoology" in 1776, states that during the 

 month of July there appear in the Thames, near Blackwall and Greenwich, 

 innumerable multitudes of small fishes, which are known to Londoners by the 

 name of Whitebait. They are esteemed very delicious when fried with fine 

 flour, and occasion, during the season, a vast resort of the lower oi'der of epicures 

 to the taverns contiguous to the places they are taken at. Since Pennant's time, 

 other orders of epicures have learned to appreciate Whitebait, so that during 

 the season it is in universal demand. But, though naturalists have not wanted 



