424 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



which is two thirds as long as the snout. The ventral insertion 

 is under the lower axil of the pectoral ; the fin extends to below 

 the fifth si)ine of the dorsal, its length equal to postorbital part 

 of head. The pectoral extends to below the sixth spine of the 

 dorsal, its length equal to the head without the snout. Small 

 scales on nape; nasal, preorbital and mandibular regions naked; 

 sides of head mostly with enlarged, thin scales; small scales on 

 opercle ; margin of subopercle finely serrate; body covered with 

 small scales; anterior half of lateral line with a slight curve, the 

 scales prominent; posterior half of lateral line straight and 

 armed with about 31 keeled scutes, the armed portion consti- 

 tuting the second half of the length. I). VIII -i, 34-1 ; Il-i, 28-1 ; 

 V. I, 5; P. i, 24. Scales 15-100+31-18. 



Color slate blue or plumbeous above, silvery below; a small,, 

 black opercular spot, smaller than pupil; upper axil of pectoral 

 black. 



Tlic mackerel scad inhabits the warm parts of the Atlantic, 

 ranging northward in summer to Cape Cod. It has not yet been 

 rei)oried in Gravesend bay, but was seined in abundance in the 

 Aihiiiiic at Southampton L. I. Aug. 31, 1897, associated with 

 I) e c a p t e r u s ]> u n c t a t u s, young Scomber, P o m a - 

 t ( 111 u s, R h o m b us, C 1 u p e a, E t r u m e u s, two species^ 

 of S I (I 1 e p h o r u s, and P a r a 1 i c h t h y s. 



Tlir species grows to the length of 1 foot. It is excellent 

 for t'iKxl but large individuals seldom reach our coast. It is 

 said lo be mure abundant along the south Florida coast, where 

 i! li\cs ill shallow water and in harbors, usually moving about ia 

 small schools. At Key West the fish are caught in seines, and 

 are eaten. 



Genus tr vchiris Rafinesque 

 Rody i-alher <'longate, somewhat compressed, not elevated^ 

 tajMijiio lo a slender caudal peduncle, which is as broad as 

 ih'i'\r, scales present, noi very small; lateral line armed through- 

 out wiih [thiles, those on (he caudal peduncle larger and S])in- 

 oiis; an accessory dorsal In aneh (o the lateral line; snout rather 

 b>iig; 1 Ill iii(derate; minute teeth mostly in single series on 



