PISHES. 247 



The scales are large, and nearly as long as deep, irregularly subtruncated anteriorly, rounded 

 and convex upon their anterior margin, which is minutely serrated. They are nowhere suffi- 

 ciently preserved upon the specimens before us to allow an enumeration of the longitudinal 

 rows. 



The upper part of the head and dorsal region are of a uniform bluish slate hue. The sides 

 of the head and body are silvery, with a bluish reflexion. Nine to eleven bluish black and 

 subcircular or subelliptical spots are observed, forming a series from the upper part of the tho- 

 racic belt to half-way between the posterior extremity of the caudal and the origin of the anal. 

 These spots are mostly situated upon the upper margin of the silvery portion of the sides of 

 the body, a circumstance which gives to them a very conspicuous appearance. The fins are 

 yellowish ; the dorsal and caudal, mayhap also the anal, being transversally strigated with 

 greyish. 



From Caldera bay ; caught in the winter months. This is the fish, referred to in the 

 narrative, (page 270-2^1,) which, in the opinion of the inhabitants of that locality, emits melo- 

 dious sounds as they enter the harbor. Without giving any more credit to that popular belief 

 than it really deserves, we have designated this species under the above appellation. 



Plate XXXI, fig. 1, represents Alosa musica in. a profile view, size of life. 



fig. 2, is an outline, viewed from above. 



fig. 3, a scale from the dorsal region. 



fig. 4, a scale from the abdominal region. 

 Figs. 3 and 4 are magnified. 



Genus ENGKAULIS, Cuv. 



Gen. chak. Body rounded or compressed. Mouth large ; snout protruded beyond the lower 

 jaw. Intermaxillaries very small, and hidden under the snout. Maxillaries slender, stretch- 

 ing over the cheeks. A few teeth on front of vomer. Palatine and pterygoidian teeth some- 

 times reduced to niere asperities. Gill openings very large and continuous under the throat. 

 Branchiostegal membrane narrow and hidden under the jaw ; its rays being short and variable 

 in number. Caudal fin forked. Dorsal fin rather small. Insertion of pectorals near the gill 

 openings. Ventrals very small. 



Stn. Engraulis, CoT. Eegn. Anim. II, 1817. 



Cuv. and Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. XXI, 1848, 2. 



Obs. The peculiar structure of the snout, as well as the shape of the mouth, will strike 

 every one as the most characteristic feature of the small Clupeoid which constitutes this genus. 

 The head, which is very elongated in some species, is short in others. 



ENGEAULIS PULCHELLUS, Girard, 



Plate XXXI, FigB. 5—9. 



Spec. chak. Body subfusiform, slender, and compressed. Origin of ventrals situated in ad- 

 vance of anterior margin of dorsal. Vent immediately opposite the hind margin of same fin. 

 Scales higher than long. Dorsal region purplish. Sides of head and body silvery. 



Syn. Engraulis prdchdlus, Grd. Proc= Acad. Nat, Sc, Philad. VII, 1854, 199, 



