HISTORY OF THE FlbHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 339 



Witliiii a few years numbers liaTe been packed and inspected for exportation as an 

 article of food. In 1832, 300 barrels were inspected; in 1833, 480; in 1834 1.008 ; 

 inl835, M43; in 1836, 1,488 ; in 183T, 461 ; in 1838, 1,164; in 1839, 1,083; in 

 1840, 1,427; in 1841, 2,138 ; in 1842, 566 ; in 1843, S54 ; in 1844, 476 ; in 1845, 

 272; in 1846, 585 ; in 1847, 132; in 1848, 137 ; in 1849, 78 ; in 1850, 137; in 1851, 

 ; in 1852, 107 ; in 1853, ; in 1854, ; in 1855, ; in 1856, 63 ; in 1857, 203. 



This species is mucb more numerous along our coast in some ;^ears tlian in others ; 

 thus, in the year 1845 they might readily be pui chased for from twenty to tliirt} cents 

 per barrel, while in 1847 the fishermen would willingly hare offered one dollar per 

 barrel. 



Maine, Massachusetts, Stoeee. Connecticut, Ayees, Linsley. Xew York, Mitch- 

 ill, Dekay. 



Alosa cyanokoton, Storer. 

 The Bhie-hack 



(Plate XXYIL Fia. 1.) 

 xihsa Cijanonoton, Storee, Pioc Bost Soc Kat. Hist , ii p 242 



Color. Above bluish, cupreous upon the sides and the opercula ; silvery beneath. 

 "When the large deciduous scales are removed, the entire upper portion of the body is 

 of a deep greenish-blue color. A large, circular black spot exists just back of the pos- 

 terior angle of the operculum ; the opercula present a beautiful arborescent appearance. 

 Pupils black, irides golden. 



Description, Body stout, elongated. The abdominal ridge is serrated, the serrations 

 being stronger back of the ventrals. Twenty serrations exist anterior to, and fifteen 

 back of, the ventrals. The length of the head is less than one fifth the length of the 

 body ; the greatest depth of the fish is equal to about one fourth the length of the 

 body. The jaws are equal. The eyes are moderate-sized and circular. The nostrils 

 are large, near the snout. 



The dorsal fin arises on the anterior half of the body ; it is quadrangular, and emar- 

 ginated above. 



The pectorals are falciform, and equal in height to the length of the dorsal^ with ac- 

 cessory plates at their base. 



The ventrals are fan-shaped, and have accessory plates. 



The anal fin is low, and longer than the dorsal. 



The caudal is deeply forked, and has at its base two membranous pouches. 



