296 
POWAN. 
the V endace of Lochmaben and the Salt-water Herring. They 
are never seen under any circumstances in the middle of the 
day. From the estimation these fish are held in by the neigh- 
bouring inhabitants they are seldom sent far before they meet 
with a ready sale, and are entirely unknown in the mai'kets of 
Glasgow. In the months of August and September they are in 
the best condition for the table; when they are considered well 
flavoured, wholesome and delicate food. They shed their spawn 
in October to December, and remain out of condition until 
March.” 
Their ordinary food appears to be of the insect class. 
Length of the example to the fork of the tail eight inches 
and a fourth; the shape plump; head rather small, rising towards 
the back; the mouth small, snout blunt, deep from its front to 
the jaw, the front resembling a small nose. Mystache attached 
far forward, contracted near its origin, and then wide, reaching 
to the anterior margin of the eye. Nostrils nearer the snout 
than to the eye. Eye large, and on its anterior border a 
membrane like a nictitating membrane. Head wide across and 
a httle arched; gill-covers in several divisions. Body covered 
with brilliant silvery scales ; lateral line with about seventy-five 
pores. The dorsal fin has thirteen rays, the first short, anterior 
to the line of the ventrals, the two last together; anal fin with 
fourteen rays, the first very small, before the line of the adipose. 
Its last rays short, two together; the pectoral rises close under 
the edge of the gill-cover, ending pointed, reaching a little 
longer than half way to the ventrals, the rays fourteen ; ventrals 
eleven rays, wide; adipose fin unusually wide for so small a 
fish; tail lunate, the lobes wide. Colour of the head brown, 
with gold-coloured borders and patches; cheeks silvery, as are’ 
the sides and belly. Blueness of the sides and black spots on 
the borders of the scales, as described by Dr. Parnell, appeared 
only when the fish had been removed from the preservino' fluid 
and was become dry. ° 
