PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 429 



ctenoid, there being about 76 in the lateral line, 9 above it, and 20 below. 

 The lateral line follows very closely the contour of the dorsal profile 

 throughout its entire extent. Greatest length of the head is contained 

 3 times in the distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the mid- 

 dle caiuUil rays. Greatest width of head is about equal to the width of 

 the body. Length of snout is contained 3 times in the length of the 

 head. Length of the operculum to the end of the flap equals the length 

 of the snout. The upper jaw extends to the vertical from the anterior 

 margin of the orbit ; its length is equal to half that of the head ; the 

 lower jaw is about the same length. The armature and squamation of 

 the opercular bones are normal, as is likewise the dentition. The diam- 

 eter of the eye equals one-fourth length of the head. 



The distance of the dorsal fin from the snout is very slightly less than 

 the greatest height of tlie body, the length of the dorsal base equalling 

 the distance between its origin and the base of the posterior ray of the 

 anal fin. Its fourth spine is the longest, its length equaling that of the 

 base of the anal. 



■ The anal fin is inserted below the origin of the second dorsal ray, the 

 base of its ultimate ray being beneath that of the ninth dorsal ray. 

 Its third spine is very slightly longer than the second ; their diameters 

 are equal. The anal is higher than the dorsal, its greatest height being 

 equal to the distance between the base of the ventrals and the origin of 

 the anal tin. 



The caudal is crescent-shaped, the external rays being much pro- 

 longed, especially those of the upper lobe, which are twice as long as 

 the middle caudal rays. 



Distance of pectorals from snout equals the height of the body at 

 the ventrals, their length being equal to that of the superior caudal 

 lobe. When extended horizontally these fins reach to the vertical from 

 the insertion of the first anal ray. 



Distance of the ventrals from the snout equals half the standard 

 body-length. They extend to the insertion of the anal, and are equal 

 in length to the rays of the lower caudal lobe. 



Ba dial- formula.— B. VII ; D. X, 15 ; A. Ill, 7 ; C. 9 + 8 ; P. 14 ; V. 

 I, 5. L. lat. 70; L. trans. 9-32. 



Color.— In alcohol dull purple ; in life probably deep purple, with 

 cloudings of lighter color. Fins in alcohol colorless ; in life probably 

 pearly. The external rays of the caudal corresponding in hue with the 

 deeper portions of the body color. 



16. Menidia dentesr, ii. sp. 



The types of the present description. No. 18051, were taken at the 

 mouth of the Saint John's Eiver, Florida, by Prof. S. F. Baird. There 

 are ten individuals in the lot, varying in length from 2a to U inches. 

 The three which are made the special types of this description measure 

 3^, 4f , and 4^ inches, respectively. 



