The Silvery Moon-fishes 



in relation of depth to length becomes apparent, but under that 

 size the present species is distinguished by its larger eye. 



Body ovate, scarcely longer than deep, very greatly com- 

 pressed; occipital region greatly elevated, making height of body 

 greatest at the eyes; anterior profile nearly vertical from occiput 

 to eye, opposite which it becomes concave; snout protruding. 

 Colour, rich silvery, with an iridescence of steel-blue above and 

 pink below, with a light golden wash below. 



GENUS SELENE LACEPEDE 

 The Silvery Moon-fishes 



This genus is very close to Vomer, from which it differs in 

 the entire absence of scutes on the lateral line. All the species 

 are found in tropical seas, only 2 coming within our limits. 

 The first of these is the Pacific moon-fish (S. cerstedti) which is 

 found on the Mexican coast from Mazatlan to Panama. It reaches 

 15 inches in length, and possesses some food-value. From our 

 Atlantic species it may be distinguished by its smaller fins, the 

 dorsal having 18 and the anal but 15 soft rays. 



Lookdown ; Horsehead 



Selene vomer (Linnaeus) 



This is perhaps the most common and best known of the 

 moonfishes. It is found on both coasts of tropical America, 

 from Cape Cod to Brazil, and from Lower California to Peru. 

 Southward it is very common on sandy shores, and is a delicious 

 food-fish, reaching a weight of 2 pounds. 



Anterior profile nearly straight from tip of snout to occiput; 

 one or 2 of the dorsal spines very long and filamentous in the 

 young, short in the adult; ventrals and anal variable. Colour, 

 uniform silvery, resembling a sheet of mother-of-pearl in colour 

 and texture. 



3' 1 



