THE FISHES OF XEW JERSEY. 107 



sheath. A pointed flap of two scales at axil of pectoral equal to 

 about ^ length of fin. Ventral with a pointed scaly flap a little 

 less than half length of fin. VQnt well posterior, close in front 

 of anal. Dorsal inserted a little nearer base of last anal ray than 

 tip of snout, first branched ray longest and last longer than its 

 antecedents to third branched ray. Anal inserted behind base of 

 dorsal or nearer base of caudal than origin of pectoral, anterior 

 rays longest and its margin nearly straight. Caudal deeply 

 forked, lobes pointed and lower longer. Pectoral broad, reaching 

 beyond ventral. Ventral inserted well before origin of dorsal or 

 nearer that of pectoral than that of anal and extending ^/^ of 

 space to latter. 



Color in alcohol-dull brown, more or less uniform, a trifle 

 darker on back. Fins plain pale brown. Iris pale brassy. Length 

 14% inches. No. 23,030, Academy of Natural Sciences of Phil- 

 adelphia. Female. Type (cotype) of Chafcessus insociahilis Ab- 

 bott. Sturgeon Pond, situated two miles below Trenton. Dr. 

 Charles C. Abbott. Also Xo. 23,031, Academy of Natural Sci- 

 ences of Philadelphia. ]\Iale. Cotype with same data. It is a 

 trifle smaller, and has the last dorsal ray produced till about equal 

 to the head in length. 



These are the only examples I ha^-e seen. They may differ, as 

 contended by Dr. Abbott, to represent a land-locked race, though 

 I have not had the opportunity to compare them with other New 

 Jersey examples. According to the original account there is a 

 very deep glossy black opercular spot which implys that such is 

 not a character of youth as some writers would suppose. In the 

 Delaware they are reported formerly abundant, and though oc- 

 curring there all winter they do not appear in any numbers till 

 after the breaking up of the ice. They ahvays swim in large 

 schools, and are not used as food. It is unlawful at present to 

 take them for fertilizers. At Duck Island they have been taken 

 in great numbers even as late as November. Dr. C. C. Abbott 

 thinks they may spawn in Crosswicks Creek, as some fishermen 

 have claimed to have seen the young. The vernaculars of this 

 fish, such as mud shad, denote the habit of the fish being found 

 in the mud during winter, the name gizzard shad has reference 



