THE WEEVER FAMILY. 159 



to form a series of spots along the sides. These form 

 three longitudinal rows in the upper half, viz., a row along 

 or just above the lateral line, another along the base of the 

 dorsal fin and an intermediate more or less double row. Ven- 

 trally a row occurs along the base of the fin and scattered 

 specks above it. The two opercular spines are still sharp and 

 prominent, and five long pre-opercular spines are conspicuous, 

 the median being slightly curved as well as longest, and the 

 most anterior being directed forward. At least three spines 

 occur above the opercular slit. The papillae along the upper 

 edge of the lower lip are distinct. 



When 34 mm. (in spirit) the rows of black specks along the 

 sides are distinct, the median being least marked. Only a 

 single opercular (gill-cover) spine, the upper and larger, is 

 present, and the pre-opercular spines are shorter, indeed, on one 

 side only four can be made out. One is directed forward. The 

 breast- and pelvic fins are proportionally larger. The body has 

 increased considerably in depth. 



At 36 mm. the three rows of pigment-specks are very 

 distinct, and the scattered ventral series is also present. 



At 45 mm. (If inch) in length (July) the aspect from the 

 dorsum is mottled, while laterally the most distinct row of black 

 pigment-spots is above the lateral line. The eyes are more 

 prominent. Only a single spine below the pre-operculum is 

 directed forward ; and two point backward. The opercular 

 spine is larger and longer. The other characters are appar- 

 ently those of the adult. This specimen was procured by 

 digging in the sand while searching for sand-eels. Both species 

 when in the sand escape capture by trawl or ground-net, but 

 both are dislodged by storms, and tossed on the beach. The 

 eyes are proportionally nearer the tip of the snout and look 

 more upwards than in the earlier stages. This approximation 

 of the eyes to the tip of the snout and the protrusion upwards 

 of the whole anterior part of the head are still more marked 

 features in an example 70 mm. (2f inches) long. The bands of 

 pigment in this stage approximate more closely to the adult 

 condition. 



It is interesting that in the earlier stages Gottus and 



