246 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



ing to about the end of the first fourth of the base of the pectoral; the 

 others leugthened in proportion. In fells the barbel dees not usually 

 reach the gill opening. The pectoral in equestris extends slightly beyond 

 last ray of dorsal. These peculiarities are not likely to be constant. 

 There is i^robably no permanent difference on which to base a subspecies 

 equestris. 



9. ^lurichtliys marinus (Mitcli.) B. & G.—Sea Mtten ; Sea cat-fsh ; Gaff-top-sail 

 cat. G. 



Generally abundant. 



ELOPIDiE. 



10. Megalops atlanticus C. &. V. — Grande £caiUe; ^^ Grandacoij" ; Tarpun; Silver 

 fi8h. G. 



This species is generally common along the Gulf coast, but only scales 

 were obtained. It reaches a length of some 6 feet. Its habit of leaping 

 out of water like the mullet causes it to be dreaded hj fishermen. It is 

 said that several i)ersons have been killed or injured when in small boats 

 by the "Grande Ecaille" leaping into the boat. 



It seems to us that the specific name atlanticus should be adopted as 

 the name of this species, being the oldest name ever really conferred on 

 it. The earlier names " eyprinoides^'' Bloch, " thrissoides^^ Bloch & Schn.. 

 and '■'- (jiganteus'''' Shaw, were alike based on a figure and description of 

 r>roussonet, as Clnpea cyprinoides. Broussonet had evidently a specimen 

 of the Indian species, Meyalops cyprinoides (Brouss.) Bleeker, and for 

 this species the name cyprinoides should be retained. Bloch took his 

 name ^'■cyprinoides'''' and his description from Broussonet, but added a 

 figure from Plumier, of the American species. The names " thrissoides^^ 

 and ''■ giganteus'^ were given as substitutes for '■'■ eypr'inoides^^^ and were 

 likewise based prinmriiy on Broussonet's description. The earliest name 

 intended for our species is Megalops atlanticus C. & V. The reference 

 to Clupea apalike Lac, given by Giinther, is fallacious. Lacepede 

 describes Clupea cyprinoides, "la clupe apalike," after Broussonet, his 

 synonymy, like that of all writers before Cuvier and Valenciennes, 

 including references both to M. cyprinoides and 21. atlanticus. 



H. Elops saurus L. — Lndji-fish. P. 



Very abundant in summer ; at Peusacola, largely salted as bait for 

 the Red Snapper. Not used as food. 



CLUPEID^. 



12. Brevoortia patronus Goode.— ^7ew(/e. G. P. (31046, 30907). 



Generally common ; reaching a length of about 13 inches ; no use is 

 made of it. 



In life this species is bluish above, silvery below ; a faint narrow dark 

 stripe along the middle of each row of scales on the back. Caudal fin 

 bright yellow, its j)osterior margin blackish ; dorsal and anal dull yel- 

 lowish ; paired fins, pale ; opercle, yellowish ; a blackish blotch on its 

 upper edge j a round blackish humeral sx)ot. 



