HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 

 Table of measurements — Continued. 



31 



Current uuiubcr of specimen. 

 Locality 



1,709. 

 Par.agnay. 



Millim. lOOths. 



A. 



M. C Z. 

 Kio Grande. 



B. 



M. C. Z. 

 Rio Grande. 



Millim. lOOths. Millim. lOOths, 



Aver- 

 age. 



lOOthb. 



Caudal : 



LeDsrth of middle rays 



Length of external raya, supf^rior. 

 Inferior.. 

 Pectoral : 



Distanco from snout 



Distance of tip from snout 



Length 



Ventral : 



Distanco from snout 



Length 



Dorsal 



Anal 



Kumber of scales in lateral lino 



Kumber of transverse rows 



244 

 2G 



32 

 50 

 16 



IL17 

 L20 



ir. 17 

 I. 20 



40 

 20 



48 

 175 



49J 



"Approximately. 



8. — Size and rate of growth. 

 Length and tceight. 



43. The largest specimen on record is represented by a plaster cast 

 in tbe National Museum, which is 20 inches in length. The average size 

 of the fish upon the coast of Connecticut and Massachusetts is not far 

 from 12 to 15 inches. The United States Menhaden Oil and Guano 

 Association, in estimating the number of fish in a certain bulk, allow 22 

 cubic inches to each fish. The relation between length and weight is 

 indicated in the following measurements, made at Noauk, Conn., in 1875. 

 These fish were all members of the same school. 



Variations in the schools. 



44. The table given in the preceding paragraph indicates a very 

 decided uniformity in the size of the indivi<luals making up the sam.e 

 school. I have observed this uniformity in many schools, though I 

 have not often measured many individuals from the same school. This 



