REPRINT OF ORIGINAL TEXT 95 



the abdominal fins. A common species in the Ohio 

 and tributary streams; it appears later than the 

 following, whence it is called Summer-herring. It 

 forms a connecting link between this and the follow- 

 ing subgenus, having the teeth as in the following 

 species. 



2d Subgenus. Glossodon. 



Body lanceolate, jaws equal with small teeth, dor- 

 sal fin opposite to the vent, nearly medial, beginning 

 behind the abdominal fins. The name means toothed 

 tongue. 



[II. 175] [^j] 31st Species. Spring False Her- 

 ring. Hyodon vernalis. Hyodon printanier. 



Diameter one fourth of total length, body entirely 

 silvery, back with bluish shades : lateral line straight, 

 tail equally forked, sinus obtuse. Dorsal fin with 13 

 rays, the anal with 28 rays, falcated and with acute 

 ends. 



Length from ten to twelve inches ; head small and 

 narrow, nostrils very large, eyes above the corner 

 of the mouth, black and somewhat elliptical verti- 

 cally, iris round, silvery with gilt shades. Fins 

 slightly olivaceous, the dorsal with 3 simple rays, 

 the first very short, anal fin somewhat adipose ante- 

 riorly. Pectoral fins with 12 rays, hardly reaching 

 the abdominal fins. Tail with 30 rays, somewhat 

 marginated with brown. Branchial membrane with 

 7 rays. This fish begins to appear all over the 

 Ohio and even at Pittsburgh in April: it is very 

 common ; but a poor food, owing to its great num- 

 ber of small bones. It is sometimes smoked and 

 cured as the Atlantic Herrings; but is not quite 

 so good. 



