514 SEALE. 



THE HERRINGS. 

 Family Glupeida-. (PI. II.) 



There are about thirteen distinct species of herring represented in the 

 Philippine waters and notwithstanding their rather small size, they are 

 of considerable commercial importance. They abound in immense num- 

 bers along the coasts of almost all the islands of the group. 8ome are 

 more or less migratory, others seem to remain near one place. Large 

 numbers aru caught in Manila Bay at all seasons of the year. These 

 represent the forms called tunsoy [Uareiigula niolucccmis (Bleeker)], 

 tanihan {E. longicep.s Bleeker), and bilis [H. gibhosa (Bleeker)]. The 

 }-oung of aU species are termed sUinasi. Great numbers are caught in 

 corrals, especially during Jlay and June; they are also taken in the drag- 

 seine. It is not an unusual sight to see large &anr«.s- loaded to the 

 gunwale with herring being landed at Tondo beach, where the fish are 

 sold to the Chinese to be smoked and dried. The natives in Zamboanga 

 buy large quantities to eat in the fresh state. Any of these sardines 

 would compare favorably with the species put up in oil on the Pacific 

 coast. 



During tire nine months from January first to September tu-st, 19o;. 

 85,000 pesos worth of canned sardines were imported into the Philip- 

 pines; this, too, with the Philippine waters swarming with sardines and 

 with an abundance of good sesame oil which could be used for cannintr 

 purposes, produced in i\ranila. 



THE SILVERSIDES. 

 Family Aiheriiiidcr. (PI. III.) 



The silverside, called gtmo in Tagalog and ^lorn, and ti-i in Ilokano, 

 is without doubt the most abundant fish in the Philippines. Tt is 

 almost impossible to land at any wharf or go ashore on any beach 

 without seeing these little fish in coimtless numbers. They usually 

 gion- to a length of from 10 to 1'3 centimeters. They have a greenish 

 tint on the back and a bright, silvery band on the sides. There are five 

 or six difEerent species, but they appear so much alike that the natives 

 have not distinguished between Ihem, calling all simply guno. The 

 most common species is possibly Athcrina tcmmincki (Bleeker). 



The guno are Imown as pescados del rey, "fishes of the king," among 

 the Spaniards. They are greatly valued as food. The yoimg are 

 termed whitebait. The method of catching is usually by seine or corral. 

 A profitable industry could be built up by preparing these fish in a good 

 sauce, by pickling them with spices, or by drying. An abundant supply 



