276 THE TWAITE SHAD. 



Amblyopsis spelceus is found in the caves of Indiana and Kentucky. These Blind-fishes 

 are of small size, living in subteiTanean streams and ditches of Central and Southern United 

 States. 



Four species are now known. F. AV. Putnam has given us all the information yet pro- 

 cured about them. 



THE HERRING TRIBE; CLUPEIDyE. 



We now come to that most valuable family of fishes, the Herring tribe, called technically 

 Clupeidce, from the Latiji word clupea, a herring. 



The well-known Anchovy is properly a native of the Mediterranean Sea, though it often 

 occurs on northern coasts. Indeed, one practical writer on fishes thinks that the capture of 

 the Anchovy off northern shores is a task that would be highly remunerative if properly 

 undertaken, and that, with proper pains, the markets in the north might be fully supplied 

 with Anchovies from their own seas. 



This little fish has long been famous for the powerful and unique flavor of its flesh, and is 

 in consequence captured in vast quantities for the piirpose of being made into Anchovy sauce. 

 Anchovy paste, and other articles of diet in which the heart of an epicure delights. Unfor- 

 tunately, however, the little fish is so valuable, that in the preparations made from its flesh 

 the dishonest dealers too often adulterate their goods largely, and palm off sprats and other 

 comparatively worthless fish for the real Anchovy. As the head is always removed before 

 tlie process of potting is commenced, the deception is not easily detected — the long head 

 with its projecting upper jaw and deeply cleft gape affording so clear an evidence of the 

 identity of the fish, that no one would venture to pass off one fish for the other, if the heads 

 were permitted to remain in their natural places. The flavor of the veritable Anchovy is 

 rudely imitated by various admixtures, and its full rich color is simulated by bole armoniac 

 and other abominations. 



The very long generic title Engraulis encrasicJiolus was given to it in ancient times, and is 

 still retained, as being quite appropriate. Its literal signification is "gall-tinctured," and 

 the name has been given to it on account of the peculiar bitter taste of the head, in which part 

 the ancients supposed the gall to be placed. 



The Common or Allice Shad is extremely plentiful on some of our coasts, but appears 

 to be a }-ather local fish, and while it abounds in some places, to be wholly absent from others. 



The Shad is fond of ascending rivers, especially if the water be clear; and while the 

 Thames was still unstirred by the paddles of multitudinous steamboats, and unpolluted by 

 the contents of countless sewers, this fish would ascend the river for a considerable distance, 

 and has been taken in good condition near Hampton Court. Some person think that the 

 flavor of the fish improves in i^roportion to its iiroximity to the river source. Except in size, 

 the Shad bears a very close resemblance to a herring, and in some places is called the King of 

 the Herrings. 



The color of the Shad is dark blue on the upper part of the head and back, variegated 

 vrith glosses or reflections of brown and green, either color predominating according to the angle 

 at which the light falls ujjon the surface. The remainder of the body is white. There is 

 another species of this genus, the Twaite Shad {Alosafinta), which is about half the size of 

 the Allice Shad, weighing on an average about two pounds. Both these fish may be at once 

 distinguished by a deep cleft or notch in the centre of the upper jaw. 



Shad (Clupea sapidinslma). This valuable fish is found ranging from Newfoundland to 

 Florida. Mitchell says it is a regular visitor, coming to us from the ocean as in yearly migi-a- 

 tion ; in March ascending towards the head of the Hudson and other rivers, to breed. Its 

 average weight is four pounds. The Shad -fishing of the New England States is considerable — 

 in the Connecticut River especially. Some are taken in the Merrimack River. Unlike most 



