308 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



snout than to the base of the caudal fin ; ventrals inserted 

 on a line slightly behind the origin of the dorsal ; anal fin, 

 low; caudal, deeply forked. Scales. 15 to 17 carinated 

 scales along the abdominal edge posterior to the base of 

 the ventral fin ; small ones over most of the caudal fin. 

 Colours. Steel blue along the back, becoming silvery along 

 the sides and below ; a large blackish blotch on the shoulder, 

 generally succeeded by five or six more along the upper 

 third of the side of the body. 



Habits. This anadromous fish ascends some of our 

 largest rivers, as the Severn, the Wye, and formerly the 

 Thames, at the end of May or commencement of June for 

 the purpose of depositing its ova in fresh water. Formerly 

 they went up the Severn to far above Shrewsbury, but, 

 since about 1 846, they have been stopped by a weir. They 

 usually return to the sea by the end of July. 



Means of capture. Yarrell observes that in the Thames 

 great numbers used to be taken every season, especially 

 opposite Millbank Penitentiary, Westminster, also above 

 Putney Bridge ; but the state of the water has caused 

 a more or less complete cessation of their visits. Formerly 

 their captures in the Thames were prohibited after June 3Oth, 

 in order that the spawners might breed in security. 



Baits. Whiffing with a slice of mackerel has been found 

 successful at the mouth of the Dart (Holdsworth). They 

 are eccentric in taking a bait, are sometimes hooked at 

 almost every cast, while at another time they will play 

 round the lure, but will not touch it 



Breeding. In June and July. Fishermen on the Severn 

 believe they spawn on the sands : the young are seen in 

 great abundance in the shallows and easy waters at or near 

 the close of the season, should the weather be warm. 

 Yarrell observed that about the second week in July used 



