108 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



from the neighboring brooks ; and they not only differ some- 

 what in appearance from the smaller specimens, but also 

 from each other. Thus, in one of the specimens before me, 

 the abdomen, between the origin of the pectorals and the ven- 

 trals, is a pure white ; in a second, it is a yellowish white ; 

 and in the largest, the whole extent of the lower portion of the 

 sides, is a beautiful orange color, and the abdomen a dark fuli- 

 ginous. 



OSMERUS. Artedi. 



Generic characters. Body elongated, covered ivith small 

 scales ; two dorsal fins, the first with rays, the second fleshy, 

 without rays ; ventral fins in a vertical line under the com- 

 mencement of the first dorsal fin ; teeth on the jaws and tongue 

 very long, two distinct rows on each palatine bone, none on 

 the vomer, except at the most anterior part ; branchiostegous 

 rays 8. 



O. eperlanus. Artedi. The Smelt. 



Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 273, et fig. 

 Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. ii. p. 75, et fig. 

 Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 230. 

 Fauna Boreali- Americana, p. 185. 



This beautiful species is brought to our market in the spring 

 and autumn in large quantities, and is highly esteemed as an 

 article of food. In the spring, it is taken in nets up the rivers, 

 and in winter, with the hook beneath the ice. In Watertown 

 alone, about 750,000 dozen are taken annually in scoop-nets, 

 from ihe first of March to the first of June, and sent to Boston 

 market. It is generally taken from four to ten inches in length. 

 The largest specimens I have seen were taken in Milton river, 

 the latter part of December, 1837. Four specimens, taken 

 without regard to size, weighed one pound and a half. 



The length of the specimen before me is nine inches. Length 

 of the head, one inch six lines. Color, above the lateral line, 

 yellowish green ; all the body beneath the lateral line, a silvery 



