Fishes of the IVestern North Atlantic 367 



scale in specimens 200 mm TL and upward; scales greatly reduced in size on back 

 and at base of caudal ; rarely more than two rows of scales exposed between tip of pec- 

 toral and base of pelvic. A row of large modified scales on each side of median line of 

 back in advance of dorsal fin, these scales not fully modified in examples less than about 

 100 mm TL, rather variable in number, generally about 25—31 in each series, there- 

 fore usually fewer than in tyrannus. Ventral scutes quite strong, more prominent in 

 young than in adults, 18 or 19, rarely 16 or 17, in advance of pelvic fins, and 12 or 

 13, occasionally 11, behind them. 



Head rather large, 2.6—3.2, usually 2.9—3.1, in SL, its depth 2.7—3.4, most fre- 

 quently 2.8—3.2. Snout blunt, with a prominent median notch, its length 3.9—5.0, 

 most frequently 4.2-4.6, in head. Eye with comparatively little adipose tissue, 4.1 — 

 5.0, usually 4.3—4.8. Interorbital 4.1—5.0, usually 4.3-4.7. Cheek much deeper 

 than long in adults. Maxillary generally reaching vertical from posterior margin of 

 pupil, 2.0—2.4, usually 2.1—2.2, in head. Mandible included in upper jaw, its upper 

 margin (within mouth) straight, its length to joint 1.75— 1.9 in head. Upper section 

 of Opercle with strong radiating ridges. Gill rakers very numerous, those on upper 

 limb extending down and over those on lower limb, the longest ones rather longer 

 than snout; increasing in number with age, about 40—50 in specimens 25—40 mm TL, 

 80—85 i" specimens 45— 60 mm, 125—130 in specimens 100— 130 mm, and 135—150 

 in examples 200 mm and upward. Teeth wanting, except for minute ones on margin 

 of maxillary in small specimens under about 60 mm. 



Dorsal fin rather high anteriorly, its margin definitely concave, its longest rays 

 nearly as long as snout and eye, the last two rays considerably longer than the preceding 

 ones, its origin about equidistant between margin of snout and base of caudal ; a broad 

 scaly sheath on the base of fin, almost covering the fin except for the last produced 

 rays if the fin is deflexed, extending well above basal third of the shortest rays when 

 standing erect. Caudal moderately forked, the middle rays exceeding length of eye by 

 nearly diameter of pupil, the lobes rather long, the lower one often longer than head, 

 2.5—3.2, most frequently 2.8—3.1, in SL. Anal moderately low, somewhat elevated 

 anteriorly, its margin definitely concave, its origin under, or a little in advance of, tip 

 of last dorsal ray, its base 4.75—5.9 in SL; a low scaly sheath at base. Pelvic fin 

 small, with a gently convex margin, its length 3.1—3.7 in head, its outermost ray 

 only a little longer than the innermost ray (Fig. 84 a); the fin inserted well behind 

 vertical from dorsal origin. Pectoral long, somewhat falcate in adults, its length 4.35— 

 5.25, usually 4.75—5.0, in SL, 1.5-1.9, most frequently 1.5-1.7, in head, its longest 

 rays about four times longer than the shortest one, sometimes nearly reaching base 

 of pelvic. Axillary scale of pectoral variable, generally scarcely more than half of 

 length of fin in large examples, little developed in young. 



Color. Back bluish-gray. Sides brassy-green. Sides of head silvery. A large black 

 shoulder spot, often followed by a single series (rarely by a double series) of smaller 

 and less definite spots, these being roundish in some and vertically elongate in others; 

 the shoulder spot generally appearing in specimens between a length of 50 and 75 mm. 



