THE ATHERINE. 83 



also of Devonshire and Cornwall, a fish called 

 theatherine, or sand-smelt, (^ A therina presbyter,) 

 sometimes confounded with the true smelt,* 

 and sold as such at Southampton, is very abun- 

 dant. It possesses in a slight degree the 

 cucumber smell of the true smelt, and though 

 far inferior to the latter, is nevertheless when 

 in full roe a delicate little fish ; in spring it is 

 in perfection, but great numbers are caught 

 during the winter months, and throughout 

 this season Brighton and other towns on the 

 same line of coast are plentifully supplied. 



The atherine prefers quiet sandy bays, and 

 tranquil water to the turbulent deep, and in 

 stormy weather numbers are occasionally 

 washed on shore. 



Various modes of fishing are adopted in the 

 capture of this silvery little fish, but the most 

 conmion way is by means of a sweep-net with 

 small meshes, by which the shoal is inclosed. 

 In the atherine, the first doi'sal fin has eight 

 spring rays, the second one spring ray, and 

 twelve cartilaginous. In the true smelt, the 

 second dorsal fin is rayless and fleshy as in the 

 salmon. The general colour of the atherine 

 along the sides is of a glistening silvery white. 

 The upper part of the back and head are 



* The true smelt belongs to the salmon and trout 'amily. 



