NO. l8 MENHADEN, GENUS BREVOORTIA HILDEBRAND I9 



and long-finned examples from the Gulf are nearest to specimens of 

 the Atlantic menhaden that occur on the opposite coast of Florida, 

 which have larger heads, rather deeper bodies, and longer fins than 

 specimens of tyrannus from northern localities. 



Source of the data and their presentation. — The following list of 

 proportions and enumerations, unless otherwise stated, are based on 

 aljout 100 specimens, and some of them on many more. The examples 

 used in determining the proportions range from about 60 to 265 mm. 

 in total length and 45 to 207 mm. in standard length. These examples 

 were collected at many places along the coast of the Gulf from Appa- 

 lachicola, Fla., to Brazos Santiago, Tex., and they include the type 

 specimens (U.S.N.M. No. 892) from the last-mentioned locality. 

 The range in the percentage of standard length of the different parts 

 measured is given first in each instance, followed by those based on 

 the two "types," and then the proportion in the standard length or 

 in the head is enclosed in parentheses. The enumerations are given 

 in the same order. 



Some proportions and enumerations. — Head 31 to 38, 27 a^^d 37 

 (2.6 to 3.2, 2.7 and 2.7 in standard length), its depth 29 to 37, 33.5 

 ai^d 35.5 (2.7 to 3.4, 2.8 and 2.95 in standard length) ; depth of body 

 33 to 45, 42 and 42 (2.2 to 3.0, 2.4 and 2.4 in standard length) ; anal 

 base 17 to 21, 18.5 and 19.5 (4.75 to 5.9, 5.2 and 5.4 in standard 

 length) ; lower lobe of caudal 31 to 39, broken (2.55 to 3.2 in standard 

 length) ; caudal peduncle, depth 8.0 to 12, 10.2 and 10.2 (2.6 to 3.9, 



3.6 and 3.65 in head) ; eye 7.0 to 9.2, 8.5 and 8.5 (3.7 to 5.0, 4.35 and 

 4.4 in head) ; snout 6.0 to 9.0, 7.5 and 8.5 (3.9 to 5.0, 4.3 and 5.0 in 

 head) ; interorbital (bone) 6.5 to 8.0, 7.8 and 8.0 (4.1 to 5.0, 4.5 and 



4.7 in head) ; maxillary 14 to 17.5, 17 and 17 (2.0 to 2.4, 2.1 and 2.1 

 in head) ; mandible 16.5 to 20, 18.5 and 20 (1.75 to 1.9, 1.8 and 1.9 in 

 head) ; pectoral 19 to 23, 19.5 and 21.5 (1.5 to 1.9, 1.75 and 1.9 in 

 head) ; axillary appendage of pectoral 8.5 to 13, 9.5 and 10.5 (2.5 to 

 4.0, 3.4 and 3.8 in head). Dorsal rays 17 to 21, 19 and 20; anal rays 

 20 to 23, 22 and 23 ; ventral rays 7 ; pectoral rays 14 to 17, 15 and 16; 

 scales, oblique series crossing middle of side, 36 to 50, 47 and 49; 

 vertical series of scales between tip of pectoral and base of ventral 

 o to 3, I and 2 ; modified scales in a series in front of dorsal 24 to 33, 30 

 and 31; ventral scutes 28 to 32, 29 and 30; gill rakers on lower 

 limb of first arch 40 to 50 in specimens about 25 to 40 mm. in total 

 length, 80 to 85 in examples 45 to 60 mm. long, 125 to 130 in speci- 

 mens 100 to 130 mm., and 135 to 150 in fish 200 mm. and upward in 

 total length ; vertebrae 42 to 48, usually 45 to 47, not counted in types 

 (enumerated in 117 specimens). 



