450 MITCHILL ON THE PISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



scales which expose dark spots in a row as they fall off, and belly 

 carinated with deciduous scales. 



Comes from the ocean, and visits us at New-York, in an annual mi- 

 gration regularly about the end of March or beginning of April. Is 

 highly prized by the people as an article of food. Is consumed largely 

 in a fresh state ; but is reckoned very good when pickled in salt. 



Ascends toward the sources of the Hudson and the other North 

 American rivers to breed. Usually weighs from four to five pounds ; 

 but has been taken as heavy as twelve pounds. 



Is so well described already in the books, that repetition is deemed 

 unnecessary. 



I cannot, however, forbear to add the following note taken by myself 

 from an inspection of one of the fairest specimens of New- York shad. 



Head smalL Tongue smooth. Lower jaw shuts into fhe upper. 

 Back arched. Belly gibbous. Body plump. Tail forked. 



Belly carinated and serrated, with scaly plates on both sides. 



Back brown, bluish, greenish, and brassy, in individuals of the same 

 draught and parcel. 



A dark spot near the gill-opening ; and behind it and along the side, 

 a row of about six or eight more which are undistinguishable when the 

 scales are on, but appear instantly when they are removed. Scales rea- 

 dily deciduous. Upper lip bifid. 



2. Staten-Island Herring. (Clupea mediocrisS) Grows very large 

 for a herring, being frequently eighteen inches long, and almost as big as 

 small shad. 



Six or eight brown spots longitudinally below the lateral line. The 

 first one distinct and permanent, the others fainter, and sometimes scarcely 

 discernible. All, save the foremost, covered by the scales. Consider- 

 able yellow-green about the head and gill-covers. A stripe of paler hue 

 encompasses the lateral spots. 



