330 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



lateral line not perceptible ; a row of six round dark spots along 

 each side, in a line with the upper part of the gill-covers ; belly 

 strongly serrated, with forty strong, sharp, teeth, extending from the 

 interoperculura to the vent ; each ventral fin with an axillary scale, 

 more than half as long as the fin itself. (Mr Yarrell says the ventral 

 fins are without axillary scales.) Number of fin rays — 

 D. 19 j P. 16 ; V. 9 ; A. 21 ; C. 19 ; ff Vert. 55." 



Shads inhabit the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, 

 and Caspian Seas. They form numerous troops in spring, 

 ascend the large rivers to deposit their spawn, and, after 

 this law of nature is accomplished, they return about 

 the end of July again to the sea. The Severn is one 

 of the rivers that affords this fish in great plenty ; it 

 makes its first appearance there in May, and in some sea- 

 sons much earlier. It is common in the Thames, in the 

 months of June and July, when great numbers are taken 

 by the fishermen below Greenwich. It is in general con- 

 sidered a coarse, dry, and insipid fish. On the coast of 

 Scotland, the Twaite shad receives the name of Rock Her- 

 ring. We observe this fish enter the Firth of Forth in to- 

 lerable abundance towards the end of July, and dozens are 

 then taken in the salmon-nets, at almost every tide ; but 

 after August we lose sight of them until the following sea- 

 son. These fish are occasionally salted and dried, and 

 used as food when nothing better can be obtained. They 

 are very seldom brought to market. 



Alosa communis.* — The Allice Shad. 



Specific Characters. — Jaws without teeth ; sides without spots ; a 

 large dusky spot behind the upper part of the operculum. 



Description. — From a specimen eighteen inches in length. Head 

 one-fifth the whole length of the fish, caudal fin included ; great- 

 est depth of the body anterior to the dorsal fin, rather more than 

 equalling the length of the head. Colour of the back and sides, 



* Alosa communis, Cuv., Ynvt. Clupea Alosa, Jen. 







