432 Storer on the 
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-A mericana, p. 185. 
Strack's plates, 128. 1. 
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 the 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 white; por- 
tions just beneath the lateral line presenting the 
appearance of a satin band, the length of the body. 
Lower jaw longer than the upper. Mouth wide. 
Maxillary bones toothed throughout their whole ex- 
tent; teeth in the jaws strong, crooked. Three or 
more teeth on each side of the tongue ; a tooth at 
the extremity of the tongue, much longer than the 
others. Nostrils very large. Diameter of the eye 
nearly three lines; pupils black; irides silvery. The 
lateral line commences at the posterior angle of the 
