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WHITEBAIT. 
circumstance which seems to shew where the roe is deposited. 
A large Whitebait has measured six inches in length, but they 
do not usually exceed four inches: proportions of the body 
nearly like those of the young herring, but a little deeper in 
comparison with the length, and more compressed than in the 
Pilchard; also more slender towards the tad. Under jaw longest, 
the gape full; teeth scarcely perceptible when fresh from the 
water, but existing in the jaws — an oval row on the tongue; 
also round the palate and along the vomer; the mystache 
extending to a line even with the centre of the eye. Where 
the gill-covers come together on the throat they form a sharp 
edge. Eye large; above the upper jaw a depression, from which 
the outline rises gradually to the beginning of the back; and 
when the fish is in good condition the elevation goes on to 
the beginning of the dorsal fin. Scales on the body large and 
closely set, but easily lost; and an obscure ridge of scales in 
eighteen sections from the throat to the vent. Dorsal fin behind 
the centre of gravity, with seventeen rays, the first ray a little 
anterior to the ventrals; the latter with eight rays. Anal fin 
narrow; tail forked, with nineteen rays; pectoral with seventeen. 
Colour along the back bluish or a rather dark ash green, which 
does not descend on the sides. All besides pearly white, but 
in some examples, as in those from the Exe, slight yellow on 
the sides. This description, and especially as regards the teeth, 
will serve to distinguish this species from the early growth of 
those with which it might be confounded; but a lens may be 
required in order to discover them. There is also no indentation 
in front of the upper jaw, as in the Shads. 
