niSTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 66 



season, and gave up the field to be occupied by tbe smaller lisb. The 

 result of this abundance of small fish was a complete failure of tbe 

 fisbery for tbe two years 1875 and 187G. In 1877 we provided ourselves 

 witb smaller-mesbed nets, and proceeded to catcb tbe smaller fisb, wbicb 

 bad now attained about two-thirds the average size of fish in this locality 

 and weighed about half a pound each. We could catcb these by using 

 nets of 2§ inch mesh. About 15,000,000 of them were taken by our 

 twelve gangs." Mr. Miles's observations seem to indicate that the 

 period of growth sometimes, if not always, extends over a period of five 

 or six years. 



Seasonal rate ofgroicth. 



4G. There is probably a much greater proportional increase in the size 

 of individuals in the three or four months of their sojourn in northern 

 waters than in the winter and spring. This is clearly indicated by the 

 emaciated condition in wbicb they make their first appearance in our 

 waters, their winter's existence having been apparently sustained by the 

 absorption of tbe fatty tissues elaborated in summer. Indeed, as will bo 

 shown below, there is some reason to believe that the winter months are 

 passed in partial or total torpidity. 



9. — Color and other minor characteristics. 

 Color of Northern Jisli. 



47. The adult menhaden is a most beautiful fisb. Its color is pearly 

 opalescent, like that of the cyprinoid fishes from which the commercial 

 Essence (TOrient, or liquid pearl, used by artists, and in the manufacture 

 of paste jewelry, is prepared. Each scale has all the beauty of a fine 

 pearl, and the reflections from the mailed side of a fisb just taken from 

 the water are superb. The scales of the back and the top of the head 

 are of a purplish blue. The blotch of black upon the scapular region, 

 just above tbe origin of tbe pectoral, is very constant, although I have 

 seen fish in which it did not occur. Many, especially the older and fat- 

 ter ones, have a number of irregular, roundish, blue-black blotches upon 

 the sides and flanks. The young fish are not so brilliantly colored, and, 

 in general aj^pearauce, resemble the young of the shad. 



Color of Southern fish. 



48. Many of the Southern fish show metallic, brazen, and golden re- 

 flections from tbe flanks and fins. Agassiz's Clupanodon aureus^ from 

 Brazil, was similarly colored. Tbe name "yellow-tail," commonly ap- 

 plied to this species in the Southern States, is in common use as far 

 north as Cape Hatteras. 



Axillary appendages. 



49. In the axils of the paired fins are long differentiated scales, which 

 cover the angles of the fins, and are evidently intended to promote swift 



3 F 



