Menhaden ; Mossbunker ; Pogy 



of value. After all, however, the menhaden must ever be of great- 

 est value as food for other fishes. 



The menhaden has received perhaps more common names 

 than any other American fish. Dr. Goode enumerates at least 30 

 which have been given to it. 



Head 3^; depth 3; D. 19; A, 20; scales 60 to 80. Head 

 rather short and heavy; fins comparatively short, the height of the 

 dorsal less than the length of the maxillary; height of anal 

 less than half length of maxillary ; pectoral not reaching 

 ventrals; dorsal inserted slightly behind ventrals, or about midway 

 between tip of snout and base of caudal; scales moderate, strongly 

 serrated, irregularly arranged, those before dorsal strongly pectinate; 

 opercle strongly striated; gillrakers much longer than eye. Colour, 

 bluish above, the sides silvery, with a strong brassy lustre; fins 

 usually yellowish; a conspicuous dark scapular blotch, behind 

 which are often smaller spots. Length 12 to 18 inches. 



