26 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Brevoortia patronus. 



41. The following is a careful description of the new species of Bre- 

 voortia from the Gulf of Mexico : 



Brevoortia patroniis, spec. nov. Goode. The gulf menhaden. 



Diagnosis. — Head larger than in 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, convex, giving an obtusely rounded pro- 

 file 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 a 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-dxths 

 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 on 

 the dorsal outline equidistant from the snout and the base of the medial 

 caudal rays (sometimes as much as sevenone-hundredths of total length), 

 and always in advance of the vertical from the insertion of the ventral. 



Scales of medium size, with entire fluted margins arranged regularly 

 (in young) in 24-25 transverse and 50-70 longitudinal rows. Scales 

 forming sheath at base of pectoral very large, round squamations of cau- 

 dal lobes inconspicuous. Axillary appendages large. Operculum smooth 

 or very delicately striated ; scapular blotch inconspicuous. 



The variations of individuals are sufficiently indicated in the sub- 

 joined 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 pec- 

 torals. The length of the caudal peduncle, 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 (.08) of its length. 



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

 one-third (.35 and .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 (.24 and.24J) of the 



* To avoid confusion this is drawn up from the Brazos Santiago specimens, which 

 are most characteristically developed. 



