NO. l8 MENHADEN, GENUS BREVOORTIA HILDEBRAND 



35 



pectoral fin long, slightly falcate, the longest ray fully four times as 

 long as the shortest one, the fin failing to reach base of ventral by a 

 distance equal to or more usually a little less than diameter of pupil, 

 leaving about 2 to 4 vertical series of scales exposed between its tip 

 and base of ventral, its length 4.25 to 5.25 (5.0) in standard length, 

 and 1.4 to 1.9 (1.5) in head; axillary appendage of pectoral variable 

 in length, apparently increasing in length with age, usually about half 

 length of fin in large examples, and only about a third in small 

 examples, 2.5 to 4.6 (2.85) in head. 



Fig. 9. — Ventral fins of species of Brevoortia, from the specimens illustrated 

 in figures i, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7; all equally enlarged. A, patronus; B, tyranniis; 

 C, mirea; D, pectinata; E, gunferi; F, sniithi. 



Color of preserved specimens dark gray above a straight line ex- 

 tending through upper margin of eye to slightly above middle of 

 base of caudal, changing rather abruptly to silvery on side ; a large 

 black shoulder spot present in adults, only faintly visible in specimens 

 no to 125 mm. long, missing in smaller ones, this spot not followed 

 by smaller ones; dorsal and caudal fins somewhat dusky, the margin 

 of caudal pale; other fins plain translucent. Gunter (1945, p. 27) re- 

 marked, in comparing fresh examples of this menhaden which he 

 termed the "second species" wnth B. patronus, "The second species 

 .... was more silvery and had less green color." 



Study material. — This species is represented in the collection of 

 the National Museum by 55 specimens, 70 to 310 mm. in total length, 

 53 to 230 mm. in standard length. The proportions and enumerations 



