108 leach's herring. 



But while placing much dependence on these particulars as 

 marks of distinction, this eminent naturalist does not appear to 

 have been aware of the fact, which has been noticed by nu- 

 merous observers, that the exact magnitude, minuter proportions 

 of shape, and quality of the flesh in the Common Herring are 

 so very different, even in districts not very distant from each 

 other, that none of them can be regarded as signifying a different 

 species. The difference in the season of spawning, on which 

 Mr. Yarrell appears to build so much, is even of less importance, 

 since it will vary in different schools within very narrow limits; 

 as we have already recorded in our History of the Common 

 Herring; and the season of 1864 is not the only one in our 

 notes, in _which the immense body of fish, from at least 

 the coast of Norfolk to Cornwall, has been large with 

 spawn from the end of the preceding year to the beginning 

 of March. The greatest depth of the body in examples of 

 about the length mentioned is not of uncommon occurrence; so 

 that while other portions of the description apply as closely to 

 the Common Herring as to this supposed new species, the 

 difference in the number of the vertebra? is all that remains 

 for consideration; on which particular I feel much satisfaction 

 in having obtained the assistance of Dr. John Lowe, of Lynn, 

 in Norfolk; from whose communication I quote the following 

 particulars: — Of nine specimens selected for examination, in 

 two the vertebrae numbered fifty-four, in four the number was 

 fifty-five, and in three fifty-six. I have myself counted fifty- 

 two. The number of fin-rays also is liable to variation; and 

 as regards the exact position of the dorsal fin in reference to 

 the ventrals, it is also of a variable character; as in some when 

 suspended by it the fish becomes almost vertical, but it also is 

 known to vary with the age of the fish, and the proportion 

 of the depth of examples to the length has varied almost in 

 the same proportion. With these observations we are driven 

 to the conclusion that Leach's Herring cannot on the evidence 

 given be received as a separate species. 



