190 
MALACOPTERYGII. 
the extreme of which the length of the fin was estimated), whereas these fins 
are somewhat square at the end in the Strangford specimens ; besides, they are 
in these of a pitchy blackness for the last third of their length, although in the 
otherof a uniform pale colour throughout. These differences were likewise con- 
stant in Cornwall and Strangford specimens of similar length. 
On placing the authentic Ciliata glauca and a Motella quinquecirrata * of equal 
size together, the difference is very great ; the dull hue of the latter presenting 
quite a contrast to the colour of the other, which is of as brilliant a silver as any 
of the Clupeiadce. Its general organization, too, is much more delicate than that 
of the Motella : in the form of the head they are different ; in C. glauca , the se- 
parating line between the opercle and pre-opercle, both of which are silvery and 
somewhat hard, is conspicuously marked ; in the Motella the opercle appears ex- 
teriorly undivided, in consequence of its soft and fleshy covering. The snout of 
C. glauca is shorter than that of the other, and the' mouth smaller ; this is differ- 
ently formed from that either of a Motella or Clupea, but possesses numerous 
sharp and curved teeth along both jaws. Its rictus is in a line with the first third 
of the eye ; that of the M. quinquecirrata with its posterior margin. No pores 
are apparent within the posterior line of the opercle, as in the species just named, 
but a row of them surmounting the upper lip. The difference in the ventral 
profile is considerable, all the specimens of C. glauca being, from the protuber- 
ance of the belly, very convex anteriorly, — an appearance which the Motella does 
not present. 
When announcing this species in the Magazine of Natural History (vol. v. 
p. 15), Mr. Couch founded a new genus upon it, which he called Ciliata ; but, 
subsequently, in the works of Mr. Jenyns and Mr. Yarrell, it appeared as a Mo- 
tella. Although its possessing the very few characters assigned to this genus 
may be considered sufficient to place this fish under it, the comparison of spe- 
cimens, of which the result has been given, induces me to think that it should 
constitute , a new genus. It participates in the characters both of Clupea and 
Motella, resembling the former in its silvery brilliancy, + and in almost instantly 
dying on removal from the water (which the latter genus can long survive) : its 
form, posterior to the head, is precisely that of Motella, with which it likewise 
accords in possessing cirri. In selecting a generic name, that of Ciliata should, 
by reason of its priority, be adopted, were it not pre-engaged. J Such being the 
case, I propose, as a compliment well merited by Mr. Couch for his practical 
knowledge of fishes, that the genus be named after him, Couchia. To the Strang- 
ford species the name of minor may be given. 
Generic characters. — Couchia. Body elongate, compressed posteriorly ; first 
dorsal fin, like that of Motella , very low, composed of soft rays unconnected by a 
membrane ; pectorals and ventrals placed high ; second dorsal and anal fin long ; 
divisions of opercle well defined exteriorly. 
* One of the two individuals which, judging from their agreement with the 
characters assigned to C. glauca, were noticed as such in the Annals for Sep- 
tember last (p. 14), at which time I had not seen authentic specimens. In 
colour there certainly was a want of uniformity with the description ; but it was 
considered that this might have been changed by the preserving liquor. Com- 
pared with the figures of Couch and Yarrell (chiefly owing to their being unco- 
loured), no obvious difference appeared. By the accompanying coloured figures, 
though taken from specimens long preserved in spirits, I have endeavoured to 
show this difference ; in such small representations it is almost impossible to give 
more than the general aspect of the fish. 
f It has a metallic appearance, as if covered with silver-leaf, wholly unlike 
the silvery whiteness of the lower portion of the body in some of the Gadidce, as 
Gad. minutus, Merlangus vulgaris, &c. 
X Cities, which may, I think, be considered equivalent to Ciliata , though I 
know not whether this term itself has been used, appears, from Jourdan’s Diet, 
des Termes, &c., to have been adopted in a somewhat similar sense by four 
different authors. 
