NORTHWESTERN SOUTH AMERICA. 689 



in 5 more or less irregular series, the fourth series consisting of 

 only 2 teeth, the fifth or transverse series with 4 teeth ; maxillary 

 teeth small, about 13 in number; mandibular teeth quite strong, 8 

 large ones and abruptly smaller ones at sides in outer series ; gill- 

 rakers moderate, 15 or 16 on lower limb of first arch; lateral line 

 complete, curved downward ; scales moderate, regularly placed, 22 

 or 2;^ rows before dorsal; 17 to 19 vertical rows crossing back be- 

 tween dorsal and adipose ; 4 longitudinal rows between lateral line 

 and base of pectoral ; dorsal fin in advance of anal, its origin mid- 

 way between tip of snout and base of caudal or slightly nearer the 

 latter; caudal fin forked, the lower lobe the longer; anal fin long, 

 its base longer than head ; ventral fins usually reaching vent, in- 

 serted slightly nearer origin of anal than base of pectorals ; pectoral 

 fins usually not quite reaching base of ventrals, inserted under mar- 

 gin of opercle. 



Color dark blue above, silvery below ; a conspicuous black 

 margin on shoulder girdle ; no lateral band ; no caudal spot. Some 

 specimens with indistinct vertical dark lines. Fins unmarked. 



Named in honor of the late Seth E. Meek. 



