544 NATUEAL HISTOEY OF AQFATIC ANIMALS. 



The California Smelt — Osmeetjs thaleiohthts. 



"This species," writes Jordan, "is knowu as Smelt, especially in those parts of the coast where 

 the Atherinopsis or California Smelt is unknown. It reaches a length of six to eight inches. It 

 ranges from Monterey to British Columbia. It does not occur in such abundance as the Surf 

 Smelt and the Eulachon, and it has not been noticed in fresh water. Nothing is known to us of its 

 breeding habits. It is the prey of the various predatory fish, the larger flounders, salmon, etc. It 

 is not brought into the market in large quantities, and, being a soft-bodied fish, is not in good 

 condition when kept long. It has, therefore, little economic value.' 



The Alaska Smelt — Osmeeus dentex. 



This species, according to Bean, occurs around the shores of Kamtschatka, and has been ob- 

 served by him at Port Clarence, and by Messrs. Turner and*iNelson at Port Clarence. It is similar 

 in size and appearance to the Atlantic Smelt. It is of much importance to the Eskimos, and is 

 dried in great quantities for use in their boat voyages. A similar species, perhaps identical, is 

 that described by Pallas under the name Osmerus spirinchus. This, it is thought by Dr. Bean, 

 may prove to be an emaciated form of 0. dentex. 



The Surf Smelt — Htpomestjs olidus. 



"This species is known as the 'Smelt,'" writes Jordan, "and sometimes as the 'Surf Smelt.' 

 It reaches a length of about a foot. It ranges from the Bay of Monterey to Alaska, being especially 

 abundant in Puget Sound and not common about San Francisco, although occasionally brought into 

 the markets. They feed upon worms and small Crustacea, and are eaten by all the large flounders 

 an^ other predatory fish. They are found at all seasons, but in the month of August they go in 

 great schools near the shore. They spawn in the surf albng the shore. The females are thought 

 to come first, and then the males. As a pan-fish this fine oily species is unsurpassed." 



The Capelin — Mallotus tillostjs. 



Distribution. — This species inhabits the North Atlantic and North Pacific. It does not occur 

 much south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and never approaches near the shores of New England, but is, 

 notwithstanding, of great importance to New England fishermen. It abounds on the shores of New- 

 foundland and on the coasts of Labrador, and during the month of July occurs in great numbers 

 near the Virgin Eocks, the only portion of the Grand Banks above water. It is found, also, near 

 Greenland, and about Iceladn and Spitzbergen, and the entire length of the Scandinavian coast, 

 from Varanger Fjord south to Christiania Fjord, latitude 58° ; the species touches Denmark, but does 

 not appear to have been observed around the British Isles. It is the "Lodde" of Norway, where it 

 bears so important a relation to the cod fishery. According to Eichardson, it has been found very 

 far up in Carnation Gulf and Bathurst Inlet, latitude 70° north, longitude 125° west. It occurs on 

 the arctic coast of North America, and it seems probable that its range extends also into the icy 

 sea of Siberia, completing the circuit of the Arctic Seas. 



" The first voyager who takes notice of them," writes Pennant, "is Master Anthony Parkhurst, 

 who visited that island (Newfoundland) in 1578, and gives a very facetious account to his ship 

 mates of his art in charming these, and another fish he calls a squid, into his power. I refer to 

 Mr. Hackluyt, vol. iii, p. 133, for the account." 



Parkhurst observes that this fish, which is like a Smelt, and is called by the Spaniards "An- 

 chovas," and by the Portuguese "Oapelinas," "commeth also in the night, but chiefly in the day 

 being forced by the cod that would devour him, and therefore for feare commlng so near the shore. 



