Brevoortia patronus.

41. The following is a careful description of the new species of Brevoortia from the Gulf of Mexico:

Brevoortia patronus, spec. nov. Goode. THE GULF MENHADEN.

Diagnosis.-Head larger than in the other American forms; its length usually more than one-third that of the body, the maxillary about threetwentieths of the length of the body.

Height of body always more than three-eighths of its total length, its anterior inferior profile cultrate, convex, giving an obtusely rounded profile to the subpectoral outline, and throwing the snout above the median horizontal axis of the body. Fins long and powerful; the height of the dorsal usually equal to the length of the maxillary and about threetenths of total length of body; that of the anal equal to a greater than half the length of the maxillary; that of the ventral one-tenth of bodylength; length of middle caudal rays always more than one-fifth and often more than one-fourth the length of the head; that of the exterior rays almost equal in length to the head and rarely less than five-sixths of its length. Insertion of the ventral under or slightly posterior to the tip of the pectoral. Insertion of dorsal always posterior to a point on the dorsal outline equidistant from the snout and the base of the medial caudal rays (sometimes as much as seven one-hundredths of total length), and always in advance of the vertical from the insertion of the ventral. Scales of medium size, with entire fluted margins arranged regularly (in young) in 24-25 transverse and 50-70 longitudinal rows. Scales forming sheath at base of pectoral very large, round squamations of caudal lobes inconspicuous. Axillary appendages large. Operculum smooth or very delicately striated; scapular blotch inconspicuous.

The variations of individuals are sufficiently indicated in the subjoined table of measurements. The most characteristic specimens occur at Brazos Santiago, Tex., and the more northern specimens show a tendency to shortening up of the head, jaws, and fins.

* Description.-The body is much compressed, especially below and in advance of the pectorals; the contour of the belly between the ventrals. and the gill-opening is cultrate, projecting, obtusely rounded. The height of the body equals two-fifths of its length, and the least height of the body at the tail is one-fourth of its greatest height in front of the pectorals. The length of the caudal peduncle, from the end of the anal to the base of the exterior lobes of the caudal, is one-fifth of the height of the body and one-twelfth (.08) of its length.

The head is elongated and large, triangular; its length is more than one-third (.35 and .34) that of the body, and its height at the nape is slightly more than its length. The length of the skull, as indicated by the distance from snout to nape, is about one-fourth (.24 and .241) of the

To avoid confusion this is drawn up from the Brazos Santiago specimens, which are most characteristically developed.

length of the body, and the greatest width of the head (.13) slightly exceeds the half of this. The width of the interorbital is about equal to the diameter of the orbit and slightly more than one-fourth the length of the head. The maxillary reaches to the vertical from the posterior margin of the pupil; the mandible nearly to the vertical from the pos terior margin of the orbit. The length of the maxillary is about equal to that of the longest ray of the dorsal fin (.15 to .16); that of the mandible (.19), to half the distance from the origin of the anal to the origin of the dorsal (.38), or to the length of the base of the anal (.18). The distance from the tip of the snout to the center of the orbit (.13 to .133) equal the greatest width of the head. The length of the operculum is equal to that of the eye; the opercular striations are fine, but distinct and numerous. The dorsal fin is inserted posteriorly to a point equidistant from the snout and the base of the caudal, and in advance of the vertical from the insertion of the ventrals. Its length of base (.20 to .213) is double that of the operculum. Its greatest height is nearly half the length of the head. It is composed of 19 rays, of which the third is the largest. Its upper edge is slightly emarginated. The height of the last ray (.10) is equal to half the length of the base. The distance of the anal from the snout is slightly less than three-fourths of the length of the body (.70-.72); its length of base (.18-.184) one-fourth of this distance. The distance from the origin of the pectoral to the origin of the dorsal (.37–.371⁄2) is about equal to that from the origin of the anal to that of the dorsal (.38). Its height (.9-.94) is about half its length of base; its least height (at last ray), one-third of the same (.6-.5). The fin is composed of 22 rays, its edge slightly emarginated. The caudal fin is much forked and elongate; the middle caudal rays (.08) half the length of the maxillary; the exterior rays above (.31-.32) twice that length; the lower exterior rays (.35-.34) nearly equal to twice the length of the mandible.

The pectoral fin is strong, falcate, inserted under the angle of the suboperculum at a distance from the snout (.35-.34) about midway to the insertion of the anal. Its tip extends beyond the insertion of the ventrals, its length (.22) being nearly two-thirds that of the head. The axillary appendages are half as long as the fin, or more.

The distance of the ventral from the snout (.54-.55) is about the same as that of the dorsal, though by the contour of the body it is thrown slightly behind the point of dorsal origin. Its length (.10) is equal to that of the last ray of the dorsal. The scales are quite regularly arranged in about 24 to 25 horizontal and 50 vertical rows. Their free portion is narrow and high. They are entire at the edges and fluted or crenulated. There are two rows of differentiated scales upon each side of the dorsal line, but they are scarcely pectinated. The scales forming the sheath at the base of the pectoral are large and round. Color: silvery, with a brassy sheen upon the sides and greenish-gray upon the back.