94 



FISHERY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



projecting but little. The ckromatophore at the base of the anal is extremely pro- 

 nounced, while the markings on the abdominal cavity are somewhat reduced in size 

 and intensity (fig. 19). 



At 10.5 mm. the young have usually passed out of a planktonic existence and have 

 adopted a semibottom habitat in quiet, muddy coves and creeks. Lateral chroma- 



Figure 18.— Cynoscion regalia. From a specimen 4.6 mm. long. 



tophores now prof usely appear, although the spot at the base of the anal still persists. 

 The fin fold has nearly disappeared, while the caudal fin has changed to a symmetri- 

 cally pointed shape (fig. 20). 



Figure 19.— Cynoscion regalis. From a specimen 8.2 mm. long. 



At 17 mm. in length the young are characterized by the presence of heavy lateral 

 chromatophores arranged in four indistinct vertical bands or saddles. The chromato- 

 phore at the base of the anal has now disappeared. The amount and intensity of 



Figure 20.— Cynoscion regalis. From a specimen 10.5 mm. long. 



pigmentation along the sides of the body seem to depend largely on the type of environ- 

 ment in which the fish is found. Young taken on sandy and light bottom do not have 

 as much pigmentation as fish secured on a muddy, or dark bottom. Tracy (1908), for 

 instance, found several young gray sea trout in sunken canvas bags off Rhode Island 



