Eulachon; Candlefish 



Eulachon ; Candlefish 



Tkaleichthys pacifictis (Richardson) 



The Eulachon is found from Oregon northward, ascending the 

 Fraser and other rivers in spring in enormous numbers. An ex- 

 cellent panfish, unsurpassed by any fish whatsoever in delicacy of 

 the flesh, which is far superior to that of any trout; remarkable for ex- 

 treme oiliness, but the oil has a very delicate, attractive flavour. 

 The oil is sometimes extracted and used as a substitute for cod- 

 liver oil, but it is solid and lard-like at ordinary temperatures. 

 When dried these fish have been used as candles, a wick having 

 been placed in them. 



Colour, white, scarcely silvery; upper parts rendered dark iron- 

 gray by the accumulation of dark punctulations. Length, 10 to 

 12 inches. 



GENUS OSMERUS LINN^US 

 The Smelts 



Body elongate, compressed; head long, pointed; mouth wide, 

 the slender maxillary extending to past middle of eye; lower jaw 

 projecting; preorbital and suborbital bones narrow; fine teeth on 

 maxillaries and premaxillaries; lower jaw with small teeth, which 

 are larger posteriorly; tongue with a few strong, fang-like teeth, 

 largest at the tip; hyoid bone, vomer, and palatines with wide-set 

 teeth; gillrakers long and lender; scales large and loose; dorsal 

 small, about midway of body, over the ventrals; anal long; ver- 

 tebra 40; pyloric coeca few and small. 



227 



