MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES. 225 



are occupied in this fishery, the extent and importance of which are too 

 well known to need a comment. The best are those taken in the North; 

 such as are caught on the coast of Lower Normandy are lean, dry, and of 

 a disagreeable flavour. 



To this division or Clupea proper, belong the Sprat, White-Bait, Pilchard* 

 and Sardine. 



AtosA, Cuv. 



Differs from Clupea, properly so styled, in an emargination of the middle 

 of the upper jaw; all the other characters are those of the Pilchard and 

 Sardine. 



A. vulgaris. (The Shad.) A much larger and thicker fish than the 

 Herring, attaining a length of three feet, and distinguished by the absence 

 of sensible teeth and by an irregular black spot behind the gills. It ascends 

 the rivers in spring, and is then highly esteemed; when taken at sea it is 

 dry and of a disagreeable flavour. 



Next to the true Clupeae come some genera, which approach 

 them in the trenchant and indented abdomen. They are Odontog- 

 nathus, Pristigaster, Notopterus^ Engraulis (the Anchovy), Me- 

 galopSf Elops^ Hpodon^ &c. &c. 



ORDER III. 



MALACOPTERYGII SUBRACHIATI. 



This order is characterized by ventrals inserted under the pecto- 

 rals; the pelvis is also directly suspended to the bones of the shoul- 

 der. It contains almost as many families as genera. 



FAMILY I. 

 GADITES. 



This family is almost wholly composed of the great genus 



Gadus, Lin. 



Recognized by the ventrals, which are pointed and attached to the throat. 

 The body is moderately elongated, slightly compressed, and covered with 

 rather small and soft scales; the head is well proportioned, but without 

 2 D 



