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THE TWAITE SHAD. 
Amblyopsis spelceus is found in the caves of Indiana and Kentucky. These Blind-fishes 
are of small size, living in subterranean streams and ditches of Central and Southern United 
States. 
Four species are now known. F. W. Putnam has given us all the information yet pro- 
cured about them. 
THE HERRING TRIBE; CLUPEIDiE. 
We now come to that most valuable family of fishes, the Herring tribe, called technically 
Clupeidce , from the Latin word clupea , a herring. 
The well-known Anchovy is properly a native of the Mediterranean Sea, though it often 
occurs on northern coasts. Indeed, one practical writer on fishes thinks that the capture of 
the Anchovy off northern shores is a task that would be highly remunerative if properly 
undertaken, and that, with proper pains, the markets in the north might be fully supplied 
with Anchovies from their own seas. 
This little fish has long been famous for the powerful and unique flavor of its flesh, and is 
in consequence captured in vast quantities for the purpose of being made into Anchovy sauce, 
Anchovy paste, and other articles of diet in which the heart of an epicure delights. Unfor- 
tunately, however, the little fish is so valuable, that in the preparations made from its flesh 
the dishonest dealers too often adulterate their goods largely, and palm off sprats and other 
comparatively worthless fish for the real Anchovy. As the head is always removed before 
the process of potting is commenced, the deception is not easily detected — the long head 
with its projecting upper jaw and deeply cleft gape affording so clear an evidence of the 
identity of the fish, that no one would venture to pass off one fish for the other, if the heads 
were permitted to remain in their natural places. The flavor of the veritable Anchovy is 
rudely imitated by various admixtures, and its full rich color is simulated by bole armoniac 
and other abominations. 
The very long generic title Engraulis encrasicholus was given to it in ancient times, and is 
still retained, as being quite appropriate. Its literal signification is “gall-tinctured,” and 
the name has been given to it on account of the peculiar bitter taste of the head, in which part 
the ancients supposed the gall to be placed. 
The Common or Allice Shad is extremely plentiful on some of our coasts, but appears 
to be a rather local fish, and while it abounds in some places, to be wholly absent from others. 
The Shad is fond of ascending rivers, especially if the water be clear; and while the 
Thames was still unstirred by the paddles of multitudinous steamboats, and unpolluted by 
the contents of countless sewers, this fish would ascend the river for a considerable distance, 
and has been taken in good condition near Hampton Court. Some person think that the 
flavor of the fish improves in proportion to its proximity to the river source. Except in size, 
the Shad bears a very close resemblance to a herring, and in some places is called the King of 
the Herrings. 
The color of the Shad is dark blue on the upper part of the head and back, variegated 
with glosses or reflections of brown and green, either color predominating according to the angle 
at which the light falls upon the surface. The remainder of the body is white. There is 
another species of this genus, the Twaite Shad (Alosa junta), which is about half the size of 
the Allice Shad, weighing on an average about two pounds. Both these fish may be at once 
distinguished by a deep cleft or notch in the centre of the upper jaw. 
Shad ( Clupea sapidissima). This valuable fish is found ranging from Newfoundland to 
Florida. Mitchell says it is a regular visitor, coming to us from the ocean as in yearly migra- 
tion ; in March ascending towards the head of the Hudson and other rivers, to breed. Its 
average weight is four pounds. The Shad-fishing of the New England States is considerable — 
in the Connecticut River especially. Some are taken in the Merrimack River. Unlike most 
