250 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



the end of the snout and the base of the caudal fin ; the 

 ventral is inserted on a line beneath the centre of the base 

 of the dorsal fin. Scales. There are thirteen rather soft 

 scutes posterior to the base of the ventral fin, along the 

 abdominal edge, and which are partially concealed by their 

 neighbouring scales. The air-bladder has an opening on 

 its lower side at about its centre, where a long but narrow 

 canal forms a communication with the end of the stomach ; 

 it has also another orifice on the left side near the vent,* 

 which canal is lined with a silvery pigment to within a 

 short distance of its termination. The vessels of the air- 

 bladder being scanty, gas is not secreted, but air believed 

 to be swallowed. Colours. Of a rich green along the back, 

 becoming lighter on the sides and beneath, where it is shot 

 with purple, blue, and gold hues. 



Doubtless much of the following account of this fish has 

 already been given by others, but were the subject not 

 fully discussed it might be considered that I had left it 

 incomplete. Differing from some popular accounts, I do 

 not propose entering in detail with the development and 

 anatomy of this fish, as such pertains more to the de- 

 partments of the embryologist and comparative anato- 

 mist than to that of the fisherman, economic legislator, or 

 the ichthyologist. 



Habits. The herring is a gregarious lively fish, a rapid 

 surface swimmer, but somewhat timorous, whole shoals 

 being frequently scared and turned from the course they 

 had intended to pursue. The wake of these fish is often 

 marked during the daytime by long lines of gulls and sea- 

 birds hovering above them and occasionally swooping 

 down upon some as prey ; while at night time, especially 



* See figure in Weber " De aure et auditu," &c., pars. i. 1820, 

 t. vii., 63. 



