218 



MUGILID.E. 



vance of each dorsal fin respectively: the tail deeply forked, 

 the longest rays nearly equal to the length of the head ; the 

 vent a small circular orifice in a line under the tips of the 

 first dorsal fin-rays when folded down. 



Colour of the cheeks, irides, gill-covers, base of pectoral 

 fins, and broad side-band, shining silvery white ; the other 

 parts of the body a pale transparent flesh colour ; the upper 

 part of the back and head freckled with small black spots ; 

 the membranes of the fins yellowish white. 



Considerable numbers of the Atherine are caught by 

 anglers from projecting points at various localities along the 

 southern coast. Poole Quay is a favourite spot. The fish 

 bite voraciously at any bait that is offered to them, and even 

 at that season when they are heaviest with roe, which is not 

 the case with fishes generally. 



