330 
IT. S, P. R. R EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
than the tip of the lower lobe of the caudal. The posterior margin of these fins is sub-truncated, 
else rounded off or sub-convex ; the fins themselves are rather small, fan-like when expanded, 
and when directed backwards, their extremities are far from approximating the vent. The 
pectorals are of moderate development, elongated, suh-lanceolated, rounded off upon their posterior 
margin, which is very distant from the origin of the ventrals. 
D 3, 15 ; A 14 ; C 8, 1, 7, 7, 1, 7 ; V 9 ; P 18. 
The scales are very large, sub-orbicular, deeper than long, with irregular transverse stria 
anteriorly, and radiating furrows upon the posterior section, the very margin of which is 
scalloped. 
The upper surface of the head and the dorsal region are of a deep bluish purple ; the sides of 
the head and the rest of the body, exhibiting a whitish or yellowish tint, with a high metallic 
reflect. The fins are either greyish olive, or light straw color. 
List of specimens. 
Cat.al. 
No. 
No. of 
spec. 
Age. 
Locality. 
When 
co^ected 
Whence obtained. 
Orig’l 
No. 
Nature of Collected by— 
specimen. 
919 
4 
Adult. 
San Francisco, California. 
1853 
Lt. R. S. Wiliamson.. 
. 
Alcoholic.. Or. A. L. Heermann. 
950 
1 
? 
1853 
Lt. W. P. Trowbridge. 
951 
1 
Adult. 
Fort Steilacoom, Pugets’ 
1856 
Dr. Geo. Suekley. 
16 
-do. Dr. Geo. Suekley.. 
Sound, W. T. 
952 
1 
Adult. 
Cape Flattery, W. T. 
1854 
Lt. W. P. Trowbridge. 
. 
-do. Lieut. Trowbridge. 
| 
MELETTA, Valenc. 
Gen. Char —The various bones which enter into the structure of the mouth are toothless. A small band of asperities may 
be observed on the tongue alone. 
Svn.— Melelta, Valenc. in Ci/v. &. Val. Hist. nat. Poiss. XX, 1847, 366. 
This genus partakes of the characters of the herrings ( Clupea ), and shads ( Alosa ), having 
somewhat the external appearance of the former, and a structure of the mouth more alike that 
of the latter. The chief difference between Alosa and the present genus consists in the 
perfect smoothness of its tongue. 
MELETTA COEEULEA, Grd. 
Plate LXXY, Eios. 5—7. (By error on the plate : Figs. 1 — 3.) 
Spec. Char —Body slender, elongated, sub-fusiform in profile. Head constituting more than the fifth of the total length. 
Posterior extremity of maxillar bone extending to a vertical line drawn through the middle of the orbit. Eye large and sub- 
circular; its diameter entering four times and a half in the length of the side of the head. Anterior margin of dorsal fin nearer 
the extremity of the snout than the insertion of the caudal. Base of anal fin entering about ten times in the total length. Inser¬ 
tion of ventrals opposite the posterior third of the base of the dorsal fin. Bluish black above; yellowish or whitish beneath, 
with metallic reflects. Fins unicoior. 
Syn. — Meletta coerulea, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 138; &, 154. 
The largest specimen observed measures ten inches in total length. The body is slender, 
compressed, gracefully elongated, gradually tapering towards the base of the caudal fin. The 
depth, measured in advance of the dorsal fin, stands in relation to the total length as one to 
