444 Storer on the 
one third their height ; all the rays, save the first, 
are branched. 
'The Ventrals are situated opposite the middle of 
the dorsal. 
The Anal fin is also bais into a groove ; its 
fourth ray, which is highest, is less than one third 
the length of the fin. 
The Caudal fin is deeply forked ; its depth at the 
base is to the depth of the expanded extremities as 
2 to 5; two membranous appendages on each side, 
near the centre of the fin. 
The fin rays are: D. 19; P. 16; V. 9; A. 20; 
C. 20. 
A. menhaden. Mitchell. The Menhaden. 
Hardhead, §c. &c. 
Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. vol. i. 453. 
This species, which is known by the names of 
“ Menhaden,” “ Pauhagen," “Hardhead,” &c. is 
met with in very great numbers, coming into Massa- 
chusetts Bay, about ihe middle of May, and leaving 
it in November, and is an exceedingly valuable fish. 
It is taken in large quantities upon various portions of 
our coast, is used as bait for other fishes, and as ma- 
nure ; and it is also becoming an article of commerce. 
As mackerel bait, it is worth from $2 to $4 per bar- 
rel, in proportion to the demand. At Lynn, in 1836, 
1500 barrels were used as bait for other fishes, and 
as many more were thrown upon the land. At Prov- 
incetown, they are used only for mackerel bait. 
"The fishermen who supply Boston market with cod 
