FISHES—CLUPEIDAE-CLUPEA MIRABILIS. 
329 
The herrings are anything hut numerous along the Pacific coast, as far at least as the 
observations go. The anchovies from all appearances reach an unparalleled size, and if at all 
numerous, could be made a source of trade and wealth. As to the shads, they have not yet 
been observed, whether in the San Joaquin, Sacramento, or Columbia rivers. 
CLUPEA, Artedi. 
Gen. Char. —Body elongated, back rounded, flanks tliickisk, and belly more or less compressed, or sharp according to the 
amount of spawn the specimens may contain. Premaxillar bones provided with small teeth; maxillaries finely crenated, else 
serrated, rather more perceptible to the touch than the unaided eye. Small teeth at the periphery of the lower jaw, which 
projects beyond the upper. Stouter and more conspicuous teeth exist upon the vomer, disposed upon a longitudinal band. A 
similar band, opposed to the former, may be seen on the tongue. There are but a few small teeth upon the external margin 
of the palatines, but drop so easily off that, without attentive and repeated observations, one might be led to suppose that these 
bones are smooth and toothless like the pterygoidians. Dorsal fin small, situated about on the middle of the length of the 
body. The anal is quite low. The ventrals are inserted under the dorsal. The pectorals are rather small. 
Svn. — Clupea , Artedi, Gen. Pise. ed. Walbaumi , 1792, 37 Synon. Pise. 1793, 14.—Cuv. Regn. Anim. II, 1817, 172 ; 2d ed. 
II, 1829; &, ed. illustr. Poiss. 272.— Storer, Rep. Fish. Mass. 1839, 110; &, Synops. 1846, 204.— DeKay, 
New Y. Faun. IY, 1842, 250.—Cuv. & Val. Hist. nat. Poiss. XX, 1847, 28. 
The intestine recurs but twice upon itself. The stomach has the shape of a conical bag. The 
swimming or air bladder is large, acute at both extremities. Some of these traits of structure 
are met with to a greater or lesser extent in the other genera of this family. 
CLUPEA MIRABILIS, G r d. 
Spec. Char. —Body rather short, deepest upon its middle, and tapering towards either extremity. Head constituting the fifth 
of the length. Posterior extremity of the maxillar bone extending to a vertical line drawn through the pupil. Eye large and 
sub-circular; its diameter entering about four times in the length of the side of the head Anterior margin of dorsal fin nearer 
the insertion of the caudal than the apex of the upper jaw. Base of anal fin comprised about eleven times in the total length ; 
*ts anterior margin being nearer the insertion of the caudal than the origin of the ventrals. Origin of ventrals placed somewhat 
behind the anterior margin of the dorsal, and a little nearer the apex of the lower jaw than the tip of the lower lobe of the 
caudal. Dorsal region bluish purple; flanks and belly metallic whitish or yellowish. 
Syn. — Clupea miralilis, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854,138, & 154. 
This species is closely allied to the common herring (Clupea liarengus) by its general appear¬ 
ance; the absence of teeth upon the palatines, the conspicuousness of the vomerine teeth 
(which are most so of all), and the presence of but two rows of them upon the tongue, will 
enable any one to draw the distinction between the two species. 
The specimens before us are from eight to nine inches in total length, the head forming 
about the fifth of that dimension. The greatest depth, which corresponds to the anterior 
margin of the dorsal, is equal to the length of the head. The lower jaw is longer than the 
upper, the posterior extremity of the maxillar bone reaching a vertical line which would pass 
through the middle of the pupil. The eye is sub-circular and large; its diameter being 
contained somewhat less than four times in the length of the side of the head. The anterior 
rays of the dorsal fin are almost as high as the fin is long, and somewhat nearer the insertion of 
the caudal than the extremity of the upper jaw ; its upper margin is slightly concave, or else 
depressed. The anal fin is very low, somewhat deeper anteriorly than farther back ; its origin 
is situated nearer the insertion of the caudal fin than the base of the ventrals ; its own base 
enters about eleven times in the total length. The insertion of the ventrals takes place some¬ 
what posteriorly to the anterior margin of the dorsal, a little nearer the apex of the lower jaw 
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