40 
On tlie 7th of Marcli he writes: — 
“Your little box of herrings came safely, and they 
have been closely examined, having been hardened with salt. My 
conviction is the same with what appears to be your own as regards 
Leach’s herring ; my only remaining difficulty having been the 
difference in the number of vertebras, and on that point, I hope, I 
may bo at liberty to quote your authority. I had not so far ex- 
amined as to bo certain of a variety in that respect.” 
It will be thus seen, that Mr. Couch agrees with me in thinking 
that this so-called species can no longer be maintained. 
t’r.uPEA 8PRATTUS (L.) Sprat. 
Very abundant along the coast. 
Sir T. Browne says, “ Herrings departed, sprait.s, or sardee, not 
long after succeed in great plenty, which are taken with smaller 
nets, and smoked and dried like herrings, become a sapid hit and 
vendible abroad.” 
On the coasts of Norfolk and Lincolnshire many hundreds of 
tons of sprats are annually used for manure, a waste of valuable 
food, much to be regretted. Were a company formed for pre- 
serving them after the manner of Sardines, to w-hich they are in 
no respect inferior, a vast amount of food might be .saved, and the 
undertaking if properly managed might be made very remunerative. 
Ml. Lowell says, that though he has seen vast quantities of 
these fish caught he never yet saw one with roe. 
Considerable quantities are prepared and sold as anchovies and 
anchovy paste. 
Clupea alosa (L.) Allis Shad. 
Yarmouth, “ not uncommon with herrings.” — P. New Mills 
Norwich, (June, 1840,) — Lubbock. 
“ Two .specimens, male and female, caught at Lowestoft in May, 
1840. Weighed, the male 3J lbs. ; the female 4^ lbs. Both are 
preserved in the Norwich Museum.” — J. H. G. 
Sir T. Browne .says, “Alosa or Shads, to be met with about Lynn.” 
Norfolk Estuary, IS.*)!, specimen in Wisbeach ]\ruseum. 
Clupea fi.vta (Cuv.) Twait Shad. 
Lynn Roads, Sept. 1848, and Oct. 1867.— Mr. E. L. King. 
Yarmouth, not uncommon.— P. Lowestoft, “a fine specimen 
E 
