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leach’s herring. 
But while placing much dependence on these particulars as 
marks of distinction, this eminent naturalist does not appear to 
have been aware of the fact, which has been noticed by nu- 
merous observers, that the exact magnitude, minuter proportions 
of shape, and quality of the flesh in the Common Herring are 
so very difierent, even in districts not very distant from each 
other, that none of them can be regarded as signifying a different 
species. The difference in the season of spawning, on which 
Mr. Yarrell appears to build so much, is even of less importance, 
since it will vary in different schools within very narrow limits ; 
as we have already recorded in our History of the Common 
Herring j and the season of 1864 is not the only one in our 
notes, in which the immense body of fish, from at least 
the coast of Norfolk to Cornwall, has been large with 
spawn from the end of the preceding year to the beginning 
of March. The greatest depth of the body in examples of 
about the length mentioned is not of uncommon occurrence j so 
that while other portions of the description apply as closely to 
the Common Herring as to this supposed new sjiecies, the 
difference in the number of the vertebrae is all that remains 
for consideration; on which particular I feel much satisfaction 
in having obtained the assistance of Dr. John Lowe, of Lynn, 
in Norfolk; from whose communication I quote the following 
particulars: — Of nine specimens selected for examination, in 
two the vertebrae numbered fifty-four, in four the number was 
fifty-five, and in three fifty-six. I have myself counted fifty- 
two. The number of fin-rays also is liable to variation; and 
as regards the exact position of the dorsal fin in reference to 
the ventrals, it is also of a variable character ; as in some when 
suspended by it the fish becomes almost vertical, but it also is 
known to vary with the age of the fish, and the proportion 
of the depth of examples to the length has varied almost in 
the same proportion. With these observations we are driven 
to the conclusion that Leach s Herring cannot on the evidence 
given be received as a separate species. 
