Tht Pacific Smelt 



Small fishes of the coasts of Europe and northern America, 

 sometimes ascending rivers; the flesh of all very delicate and 

 highly valued as food. Five or 6 species and subspecies in our 

 waters. 



a. Vomer with a cross-series of small teeth; small, weak species 



spawning in the sea ; thaleichthys, 228 



aa. Vomer with 2 to 4 strong, fang-like teeth; species stronger 

 in habit, ascending streams. 



b. Maxillary not reaching posterior margin of eye; depth 6 to 



6\ in length ; colour plain ; mordax, 229 



bb. Maxillary reaching posterior margin of eye; depth 5^; colour 

 brilliant ; dentex, 230 



Pacific Smelt 



Osmerus thaleichthys Ayres 



This interesting little fish is found on our Pacific coast from 

 San Francisco northward to Bristol Bay in Alaska, and is usu- 

 ally common. It is a weak, feeble species, its flesh soft and 

 not keeping well, but of excellent flavour. Colour, olivaceous, 

 the sides silvery and somewhat translucent. Length 8 or 9 inches. 



328 



