MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 457 



Length about three inches and a half, depth rather more than half an 

 inch. Inhabits the salt water, and resembles an atherine. 



The upper jaw is much more considerable in size, than the lower, and 

 terminates in a distinct nose or snout. Beneath it, the lower mandible 

 is received and shuts closely. The mouth has no proper teeth ; but 

 both the jaws have very minute and exact serrated edges. The throat, 

 on examination, is found to be surrounded with a row of bristles, long, and 

 disposed funnel- wise ; and investing the sides of the tongue. 



One dorsal fin near the middle of the back. The vent is rather nearer 

 the tail than to the head. The ventral fins are small and six rayed. 



The eyes are large and yellowish. Gill-covers silvery white. Belly 

 carinated and moderately serrated. Branchial membrane has eleven or 

 twelve rays. The anal fin has about twenty-one. 



12. Blue Herring. (Clupea ccerulea.') With bluish complexion, 

 large head, forked tail, and small, pectoral and abdominal fins. 



Length three inches, depth nearly one ; being a deep fish in propor- 

 tion to his length. The scales are large for a fish of his size, and readi- 

 ly deciduous. The skin is free from spots and stripes ; and is of a blu- 

 ish colour. This is less considerable on the belly than on the back. 

 The head and eyes are large. The jaws about even. Tail deeply 

 forked. Belly sharply and delicately serrated. Pectoral fins small ; 

 ventral smaller. Body in some degree semi-transparent. 



He may possibly be a variety of one of the preceding species ; but I 

 have thought it proper to mention him by himself. 



* * Bellies carinated without serrae. 



13. New-York Skadine. (Clupea sadina.) An elegant species with a 

 small smutty spot behind the gill-cover; but with neither spots nor 

 stripes on its back or sides. Mouth wide and toothless. Tongue small. 



Back delicately variegated with green and blue. Lateral line straight. 

 Sides silvery white, considerably above that line ; and below it quite to 



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