_E. capite compresso, grandiusculo, quartam partem longitudinis totius
æquante: rostro acuto, ultra maxillam superiorem mediocriter
prominulo; mandibulâ angustâ, dentibus lateralibus (ut etiam in
maxillâ) minimis: corpore compresso: pinnis ventralibus infra, vix
ante, initium pinnæ dorsalis exorientibus: squamâ longissimâ
membranaceâ super pinnam pectoralem retrorsum productâ._
D. 15; A. 19; C. 19, &c.; P. 16; V. 7.
LONG. unc. 5.
FORM.—Closely resembling the common Anchovy, but the head decidedly
larger and longer, being one-fourth of the entire length.[41] Eye
larger, but bearing an equal proportion to the size of the head;
also rather nearer to the tip of the snout in consequence of this
last not being so acute and much produced. Lower jaw rather
narrower, from the greater compression of the head and body.
Maxillary, and its fine serratures on the edges for teeth, similar.
The depth of the body is about one-sixth of the entire length. The
dorsal commences at the middle point of the length, reckoning this
last to the base of the caudal fork, and terminates a little before
the commencement of the anal: the first ray is not half the length
of the second and third, which equal three-fourths of the depth: the
fifth and succeeding rays become gradually shorter than those which
precede. The first ray in the anal is likewise very short, and
scarcely one-third of the next following. The ventrals arise almost
directly under the first ray of the dorsal, being scarcely at all in
advance; when laid back, they do not reach half-way to the anal.
Above the pectoral is a long membranaceous scale equalling, or very
nearly, the fin itself.
COLOUR.—Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, it appears
silvery, with the back and upper part of the sides deep dusky blue,
the two colours separated by a well-defined line.
Habitat, Iquique, Peru.
This is probably an undescribed species of _Engraulis_; nor am I aware
that authors have hitherto noticed any from the west coast of America.
Mr. Darwin obtained two specimens which are precisely similar to each
other. The species closely resembles the common European Anchovy,[42]
differing principally in its larger head, and more backward ventrals in
respect to the dorsal.