182 MARKKTAl'.I.K BRITISH MARINK FISHES 



specimens were 3 inches to 5 inches. But these results appear 

 to show only the under-sized specimens at one year of age ; 

 there must be others from 5 to 7 inches. 



Of the allis shad the October specimens, 104 in number, were 

 2*32 to 572 inches, the majority at any rate being fish of the 

 year ; the June specimens, twenty-three in number, were 3*84 to 

 to 5 '44. The latter must have been a year old, but must also 

 have been very much stunted in growth. The meaning of these 

 results is probably that the young shad, reaching in the case of 

 the twait 3 to 5 inches in November, for the most part leave the 

 river then and do not return until two years of age when they 

 spawn for the first time, and that the few specimens found in 

 the river in their second summer are stunted in growth. In 

 this, as in other cases, more complete evidence is still required. 



The Anchovy. (Engraulis encrasicholus.} 



Distinguishing Characters. Head terminating in a fleshy 

 pointed snout which projects beyond the jaws ; gape of mouth 

 very deep, reaching back far behind the eye. Body slender and 

 elongated, belly rounded without spines on the edge. Scales 

 rather large, easily detached ; skin soft and easily torn. Pelvic 

 fins considerably in front of the dorsal,- teeth in both jaws, very 

 fine in the lower ; also present on the palate. Colour dark 

 greenish along the back, silvery on the sides and belly. The 

 maximum length is 8 inches, the majority are 5 to 7 inches. 



Habitat. Extends throughout the Mediterranean, and along 

 the Atlantic coast of Europe northward to Norway, where, 

 however, it is only taken in small numbers. In winter it is 

 common though not very abundant in the western part of the 

 English Channel, while it has been recorded from the Wash and 

 other places on the east coast in summer. It has been taken in 

 June off Southport in Lancashire, and is sometimes common off 

 Swansea. It has also been occasionally taken on the Irish 

 coasts. In Holland there is a regular and somewhat valuable 

 fishery for anchovies, which is carried on in summer both in the 

 Zuyder Zee and in the estuary of the Schelde. Three methods 

 are employed in these shallow waters for taking the fish, namely, 

 the moored net, a kind of stake net, and a kind of sweep-net. 



