330 



U. 8. P. E. R EXP. AND 8UKVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



than the tip of the lower lobe of the caudal. The posterior margin of these fins is sub-truncated, 

 else rounded off or sub-convex ; the fins themselves are rather small, fan-like when expanded, 

 aiul when directed backwards, their extremities are far from ai)proximating the vent. The 

 pectorals are of moderate development, elongated, sub-lanceolated, rounded off upon their posterior 

 margin, which is very distant from the origin of the ventrals. 



D 3, 15 ; A 14 ; C 8, 1, 7, 7, 1, 7 ; V 9 ; P 18. 



The scales are very large, sub-OFbicular, deeper than long, with irregular transverse stria 

 anteriorly, and radiating furrows upon the posterior section, the very margin of which is 

 scalloped. 



The upper surface of the head and the dorsal region are of a deep bluish purple ; the sides of 

 the head and the rest of the body, exhibiting a whitish or yellowish tint, with a high metallic 

 reflect. The fins are either greyish olive, or light straw color. 



List of specimen 8. 



MELETTA, Valenc. 



GicN. Char — The various bones which enter into the structure of the mouth are toothless. A small band of asperities may 

 be obeerved on the tongue alono. 



SvK.— i/fWto, Valeko. in Cuv. &. Vol. Hist. nat. Poiss. XX, 1847, 366. 

 This genus partakes of the characters of the herrings (Clupea), and shads (Alosa), haviu" 

 somewhat tlie external appearance of the former, and a structure of the mouth more alike that 

 of the latter. Tiie chief difference between Jlosa and the present genus consists in the 

 perfect smoothness of its tongue. 



MELETTA COERULEA, Urd. 

 Plate LXXV, Fijs. 5—7. (By error on the plate : Figs. 1— .3.) 



Si'Kc. Chaii. — Body slender, cOongatod, suh-fnsiforni in profile. Hrad constituting more than the fifth of the total length. 

 Posterior extrcuiity of uiaxillar bono extending to a vertical line drawn through the niiiUile of the orhlt. Eye large and sub- 

 circular ; its diameter entering four times and a half in the length of the side of the head. Anterior margin of dorsal fin nearer 

 the oxtremify of the snout than the insertion of the caudal. Baseof nnal fin entering about ten limes in the total length. Inser- 

 tion of ventraU opposite the posterior third of the base of the dorsal fin. Bluish black above; yellowish or wliitinh beneath, 

 vith metallic reflectB. Fins unicolor. 



S\ii.—McleUa coerulea, Gkd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 138 ; &, 154. 



The largest specimen observed measures ten inches in total length. The body is slender, 

 compressed, gracefully elongated, gradually tapering towards tlie base of tlie caudal fin. The 

 depth, measured in advance of the dorsal fin, stands in relation to the total length as one to 



