PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 39 



Brevoortia patronus, sp. noc, Goode. 



Diagnosis. — Head larger than ia the other American forms, its length 

 usually more than one-third that of the body, the maxillary about three- 

 twentieths of the length of the body. Height of body always more than 

 three-eighths of its total length, its anterior inferior profile cultrate, con- 

 vex, giving an obtusely rounded profile to the subpectoral outline, and 

 throwing the snout above the median horizontal axis of the body. Fins 

 long and powerful} the height of the dorsal usually equal to the length of 

 the maxillary, and about three-tenths of total length of body ; that of 

 the anal equal to or greater than half the length of the maxillary : that 

 of the ventral one-tenth of body-length ; length of middle caudal rays 

 always more than one-fifth and often more than one-fourth the length of 

 the head, that of the exterior rays almost equal in length to the head 

 and rarely less than five-sixths of its length. Insertion of the ventral 

 under or slightly posterior to the tip of the pectoral. Insertion of dorsal 

 always posterior to a point ou the dorsal outline, equidistant from the 

 snout and the base of the medial caudal rays (sometimes as much as 

 seven onehundredths of total length), and always in advance of the 

 vertical from the insertion of the ventrals. 



Scales of medium size, with entire, tluted margins, arranged regularly 

 (in young) in 24 to 25 transvere and 50 to 70 longitudinal rows. Scales 

 forming sheath at base of pectoral very large, round. Squamutioa of 

 caudal lobes inconspicuous. Axillary a])pendages large. Operculum 

 smooth or very delicately striated. Scapular blotch inconspicuous. 



The variations of individuals are sufficiently indicated in the subjoined 

 table of measurements. The most characteristic specimens occur at 

 Brazos Santiago, Tex., and the more northern specimens show a tendency 

 to shortening up of the head, jaws, and fins. 



Description.* — The body is much compressed, especially below and in 

 advance of the pectorals ; the contour of the belly between the ventrals 

 and the gill-opening is cultrate, projecting, obtusely rounded. The 

 height of the body equals two-fifths of its length, and the least height 

 of the body at the tail is one-fourth of its greatest height in front of the 

 pectorals. The length of the caudal i^eduncle, from the end of the anal 

 to the base of the exterior lobes of the caudal, is one-fifth of the height 

 of the body, and one-twelfth (0.08) of its length. 



The head is elongated and large, triangular; its length is more than 

 one-third (0.35 and 0.34) that of the body, and its height at the nape is 

 slightly more than its length. The length of the skull, as indicated by 

 the distance from snout to nape, is about one-fourth (0.24 and 0.24.]) of the 

 length of the body, and the greatest width of the head (0.13) slightly ex- 

 ceeds the half of this. The width of the interorbital is about equal to the 

 diameter of the orbit, and slightly more than one-fourth the length of the 

 head. The maxillary reaches to the vertical from the posterior margin 



*To avoid coufusion, this is drawn up from tlie HrazosSantiajjjo specimeus, which are 

 most characteristically developed. 



