332 HISTOEY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



with in increased numbers ; they disappear during the unpleasant weather in Novem- 

 ber. At George's Banks, these immature fishes are not found ; there, the herring are 

 full grown. 



In different portions of Massachusetts Bay the herring has been taken by ^ torch- 

 ing"; and it is the opinion of many intelligent fishermen, that this method of captuiing 

 them has been one of the means of their being less frequent upon our coast than they 

 were formerly. They are thus taken. A large torch is attached to the bows of the 

 boat, which is rowed very fast ; the fish, attracted by the light, follow the boat, and with 

 a dip-net are caught in large numbers. 



The Clnpea minima. Peck, is undoubtedly the young of this fish. They are found 

 from half an inch to over a foot in length. When half grown they are called Spirling, 

 and are much sought for cod-bait, being preferred to anything else by all fish. A man 

 can frequently catch many fish with these when he has not had a bite with clams and 

 mussels* 



Massachusetts, Lesueur, Storee,. New Hampshire, Peck. Connecticut, Linsley. 

 New York, Mitohill, Dekay. 



GENUS 11. ALOSA, Cuv. 

 Upper jaw with a deep notch in the centre ; in other respects like the Olupea. 



Alosa PRiESTABiLis, Dekay. 



The American Shad. 



(Plate XXVI Fig. 2.) 



Clupea sapidissma, Wilson, Eees's Encyclopa^d (Amei. edit ) , catalogued, but not described 



" ^' Raf 5 Amer Month Mag , ii p 205. 



Oiupea alosa, Sliad^ Belknap, Hist. New Hampshire; iii. p. ISO. 



'' " " Mitch , Trans. Lit and Phil Soc. of W. Y., i. p 449. 

 Clui^ea mdigena, 8prat Eemng, Mitch , Trans, Lit. and Phil Soc. of N T., i, p. 454 (young) 

 Alosa tidgans^ Comynon Shad, Stober, Bepoit, p 116. 

 Alosa prmstahilis, American Shad, Dekat, Report, p 255, pi. 15, fig. 41 

 Alosa sapidissima, Shad, Linsldt, Cat of Pishes of Connecticut, SiUiman's Journal, XLvii 



" " Stoee:r, Mem Amer. Acad, New Sene&, ii. p 458 



" " " Synopsis, p. 206 



Il'Ahs^ savoureuse, Ahusa prmstahiliSf Cttv. et Val., xx p. 421 



Color. The upper portion of the sides, including the opercula, cupreous ; the lower 

 portion of the sides silvery, with a greenish tinge ; the abdomen is pearly ; the top of 



* Althotigli the young of this species is so acceptable to the cod and haddock, yet they will not touch 

 young alewives, nor in fact any fish that is spawned in fresh water. 



