THE SILVERSIDES OF THE GENUS MENIDIA. 255 
Stomach contents of silversides from Woods Hole—Continued. 
[Off the dock, Woods Hole, December 7, 2p.m.; fish at surface; temperature of water 45° F.] 




No. eee Sex. Spawning condition. Stomach EEO BES 
Inches. 
1 3.43 | Female...| Gonads very small.........- Empty. 
2 BOY il Baeee Gorsseiiiete GOi feet eee ear SSS Do. 
3 padss | Males. .o2|o2. GR AROSE ORE oer aerioee Do 
4 Sibir eo. dovss2 450 GOs sh 25.955. 88ST Do. 
5 anal |soos< Olean saece OO Aas SS So obebacdaaaeaeoe Do 
6 3.37 | Female...}..... GO) Sat ase sa eee Do 
7 4 1 Ee eee) AOMesa poeta eee Do 
8 BS 7 eee (0 LO ye 4 See dome. 5282 ss A Do 
9 3 Female...}..... GO\6 Js Ssscpensseseaeccnas Do 
10 SOOM We doe tcae cscs sees GOS SEL Er thes os Re Do 



[Off the dock at Woods Hole, December 21; silversides very abundant at the surface; temp- 
erature of water 36° F.] 


1 3.37 | Female...| Gonads very small. Empty. 
2 oot leu ule? st: 7 seek Gols eee oS Qe NS: Do. 
3 See aa eee (Glo haere ero Opa sete ate akc Do 
4 SAB YAY eee (3 (ay, Sa a | Se (hoi ts eee See EAS eRe Do 
5 3.43 | Female...|..... GOSS feo ee ee Do. 
6 S505 4 |g he 6 eee Cota) Bae ey eet ae ft Ree ef Do. 
7 3.25 | Female...}..... COM oe ee eae Do 
8 8740) el eee Goss Ree COE Ae a ae Do 
9 Sei eee Goes lsace. GOR peste soe eee neeene Do 
10 2.75 | Malet Reese (lope tes eee oes Swe ete Do 

DESCRIPTIONS AND SYNONYMY. 
As regarded by Jordan & Evermann in Fishes of North and Middle 
America, the genus Menidia now includes ten species and one subspe- 
cies in the United States, five of which and the subspecies are found 
on the Atlantic coast. These are IW. gracilis, M. gracilis beryllina, 
M. peninsule, M. audens, M. notata,* and M. menidia. 
An examination of a large series of specimens from localities ranging 
from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Texas and comparison with the types of 
some of the species force the conclusion that a readjustment of the 
nomenclature is necessary. On the Atlantic coast the species are at 
present arranged in two groups, one of which is characterized by a 
long anal fin, the other by a comparatively short one. The first group 
comprises JM. menidia and M. notata; the second MW. gracilis, M. gra- 
cilis beryllina, M. peninsule, and M. audens. 
In the following pages are given a key to the eastern United States 
species, a redescription of each species, notes and references having an 
important bearing on the question of their relationship, and tables of 
measurements from a number of localities. 
Although the different forms when mixed together are readily dis- 
tinguished by the eye, it is difficult to represent their differences by 
measurements or figures. The differences are small, and to show them 
in comparative tables requires a larger series of each form than has 
been accessible. The depth is exceedingly variable, depending upon 
a variety of circumstances. For instance, a fish in spawning condition 
will be far deeper than one not in that condition. 

*On page 2840, part 111, Jordan & Evermann state that owing to the perfect intergradation between 
specimens from Florida to Nova Scotia, this form should stand as a subspecies of M. menidia. 
