Capelin; Capelan (French Canadian)

Family Osmeridae

• Norwegian: Lodde
• Icelandic: Loðna
• Greenlandic: Ammassak

REMARKS Maximum length just under 25 cm. The colour of the back is a sort of transparent olive or bottle-green, suited to the Arctic waters in which this species thrives.

It is impossible to conceive, much more to describe, the splendid appearance of Conception Bay and its harbors on such a night, at the time of what is there called the Capelin Skull. Then its vast surface is completely covered with myriads of fishes of various kinds and sizes, all actively engaged either in pursuing or avoiding each other; the whales alternately rising and plunging, throwing into the air spouts of water; the codfish bounding above the waves and reflecting the light of the moon from their silvery surface; the Capelins hurrying away in immense shoals to seek a refuge on the shore, where each retiring wave leaves countless multitudes skipping upon the sand, an easy prey to the women and children who stand there with barrows and baskets ready to seize upon the precious and plentiful booty . . .