190 MALACOPTERYGII. 



the extreme of which the length of the fin was estimated), whereas these fins 

 are somewhat square at the end in tlie Strangford specimens ; besides, they are 

 in these of a pitchy blackness for the last third of their length, although in the 

 otherof a uniform pale colour throughout. These differences were likewise con- 

 stant in Cornwall and Strangford specimens of similar length. 



On placing the authentic Ciliata glauca and a Motella quinquecirrata * of equal 

 size together, the difference is very great; the dull hue of the latter presenting 

 quite a contrast to the colour of the other, which is of as brilliant a silver as any 

 of the Clupeiada. Its general organization, too, is much more delicate than that 

 of the Motella : in the form of the head they are different ; in C. glauca, the se- 

 parating line between the opercle and pre-opercle, both of which are silvery and 

 somewhat hard, is conspicuously marked; in the Motella [he opercle appears ex- 

 teriorhj undivided, in consequence of its soft and fleshy covering. The snout of 

 C. glauca is shorter than that of the other, and the mouth smaller ; this is differ- 

 ently formed from that either of a Motella or Clupea, but possesses numerous 

 sharp and curved teeth along both jaws. Its rictus is in a line with the first third 

 of the eye ; that of the M. quinquecirrata with its posterior margin. No pores 

 are apparent within the posterior line of the opercle, as in the species just named, 

 but a row of them surmounting the upper lip. The difference in the ventral 

 profile is considerable, all the specimens of C. glauca being, from the protuber- 

 ance of the belly, very convex anteriorly, — an appearance which the Motella does 

 not present. 



When announcing this species in the Magazine of Natural History (vol. v. 

 p. 15), Mr. Couch founded a new genus upon it, which he called Ciliata; but, 

 subsequently, in the works of Mr. Jenyns and Mr. Yarrell, it appeared as a Mo- 

 tella. Although its possessing the very few characters assigned to this genus 

 may be considered sufficient to place this fish under it, the comparison of spe- 

 cimens, of which the result has been given, induces me to think that it should 

 constitute a new genus. It participates in the characters both of Clupea and 

 Motella, resembling the former in its silvery brilliancy, t and in almost instantly 

 dying on removal from the water (which the latter genus can long survive) : its 

 forin, posterior to the head, is precisely that of Motella, with which it likewise 

 accords in possessing cirri. In selecting a generic name, that of Ciliata should, 

 by reason of its priority, be adopted, were it not pre-engaged. J Such being the 

 case, I propose, as a compliment well merited by Mr. Couch for his practical 

 knowledge of fishes, that the genus be named after him, Couchia. To the Strang- 

 ford species the name of minor may be given. 



Generic characters. — Couchia. Body elongate, compressed posteriorly ; first 

 dorsal fin, like that of Motella, very low, composed of soft rays unconnected by a 

 membrane ; pectorals and ventrals placed high ; second dorsal and anal fin long ; 

 divisions of opercle well defined exteriorly. 



* One of the two individuals which, judging from their agreement with the 

 characters assigned to C. glauca, were noticed as such in the Annals for Sep- 

 tember last (p. 14), at which time I had not seen authentic specimens. In 

 colour there certainly was a want of uniformity with the description ; but it was 

 considered that this might have been changed by the preserving liquor. Com- 

 pared with the figures of Couch and Yarrell (chiefly owing to their being unco- 

 loured), no obvious difference appeared. By the accompanying coloured figures, 

 though taken from specimens long preserved in spirits, I have endeavoured to 

 show this difference ; in such small representations it is almost impossible to give 

 more than the general aspect of the fish. 



t It has a metallic appearance, as if covered with silver-leaf, wholly unlike 

 the silvery whiteness of the lower portion of the body in some of the Gadidce, as 

 Gad. minutus, Merlangus vulgaris, &c. 



X Cilies, which may, I think, be considered equivalent to Ciliata, though I 

 know not whether this term itself has been used, appears, from Jourdan's Diet, 

 des Termes, &c., to have been adopted in a somewhat similar sense by four 

 different authors. 



