PLATE XL VIII. 
If we may assent to the very probable conjectures of Mr. Pennant, 
t)r. Bloch and other Ichthyologists, the Smelt is to be considered as 
a species exclusively confined to the North of Europe. These 
authors say that it appears in vast shoals in the North Seas, and in the 
Baltic, but that it never enters the Mediterranean Sea, or is seen 
further to the southwaid in its periodical migrations from the northern 
regions. 
The Stneit is found in the seas surrounding our own island, at all 
seasons of the year. Towards the close of Autumn, they commonly 
ascend from the sea up those rivers which they frequent, in' order to 
deposit their spawn, and continue in those places till March or April, 
when having finally accomplished the purpose of their visit, they 
return again to the sea. This however ought only be understood as 
the time of their appearance, and emigration in certain rivers, for in 
this respect the Smelt is extremely irregular ; remaining in some five 
or six months, and in others scarcely so many weeks. The principal 
fishery for the Smelt commences about March in the temperate parts 
of Europe. 
Di. Bloch makes two species of the Common Smelt, one of which' 
he retains under the name of Eperlanus, the other he calls Eperlano- 
marmus. Perhaps there may be, notwithstanding, more propriety in 
believing with Gmelin, that the Eperlanus, and Der Stint of Bloch is 
rather a variety than a species distinct from the larger kind. The 
length of the small sort is from two to three inches ; the other most 
commonly exceeds four inches in length, and sometimes measures six, 
and even seven, or eight inches. Mr. Pennant speaks of one, the 
largest he had ever heard of, that was thirteen inches in length, and 
weighed half a pound. We have seen Smelts of a very large size 
