330 



U. 8. P. R. R, EXP. AND SURVEYS 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, 

 and when directed backwards, their extremities are far from approximating 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, T, 1, 7 ; V 9 ; P 18. 



The scales are very large, sub-orbicular, 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 specimens. 



MELETTA, Valenc. 



GEN. CHAR The various bones which enter into the structure of the mouth are toothless. A small band of asperities may 

 be observed on the tongue alone. 



8v K Melelta, VALENC. in Cm. &, Vol. Hist. nat. Poiss. XX, 1847, 366. 



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

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

 of the latter. The chief difference between Alosa and the present genus consists in the 

 perfect smoothness of its tongue. 



MELETTA COERULEA, Grd. 

 PLATE LXXV, FIGS. 57. (By error on the plate : Figs. 13.) 



SPEC. CHAR. Body slender, elongated, sub-fusiform in profile. Head constituting more than the fifth of the total length. 

 Posterior extremity of maxillar bone extending to a vertical line drawn through the middle of the orbit. 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 extremity of the snout than the insertion of the caudal. Base of anal fin entering about ten times in the total length. Inser 

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

 with metallic reflects. Fins unicolor. 



SYsMelctta coerulea, GRD. 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 the base of the caudal fin. The 

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



