LI 



les.s in size, and usually called 'black backs,* equally 

 true to instinct, seek the Ogawam." The ''black back" 

 here referred to is doubtless the "glut-herring" of the- 

 Chesapeake region. 



Col. Theodore Lyman, in his report as Commissioner 

 of Fisheries for Massachusetts for the year ending Jan. 

 1, 1869, gives the following results of observations in 

 various rivers of Massachusetts: "The netters recog- 

 nize several sorts and several runs of alewives. The 

 river lierring is a large variety, not much esteemed, and 

 supposed to sx)awn in tidal water. These are always 

 most numerous in streams that have bad lishways ; be- 

 cause, when once they have sj)awned belmo a dam, the 

 progeny are not inclined to go farther, and lie in tidal 

 w^aters. Large shoals of these "sulkers" maybe seen 

 at Squiiwbetty, on Taunton Great Kiver, or at the foot 

 of the dam, on Mystic Pond. Then there are the gray- 

 hacliS and the hlaelx hellies^ which have all the marks of 

 a distinct species. *"" " " "''" '' ''" 



The hlaek-helUes ap^jear later in the season than the 

 gray-hacks^ and though smaller are, by reason of their 

 fatness, more esteemed." 



Whenever the o]3portunity has occurred T luive caused 

 the spawn of the herring to be taken, and have tried 

 several experiments in order to secure the best methods 

 for propagating them, and have succeeded in hatching 

 many hundred tliousand, which liave been returned to 

 our waters. But for reasons stated in my previous Re- 

 ports, no special hatching station has been established 

 for the propagation of this fish, but this is in the pro- 

 gram of the future. 



Figures of the several species of this family are given 

 in order that their peculiarities of form may be c'ai'ef ully 

 studied, for it is most advisable that those employed in 

 the work of iish culture who undertake tlie propagation 

 of the herring should be able to distinguish especially 

 between the glut-herring {j)omolobiiH (rs'tivalf's) and tlie 



