10 
and the period of larval development it is probable that only the kernel could — 
be formed during the first summer, and the line which limits it represents the 
check in growth of the first winter. The broad zone around the kernel represents 
the growth of the following summer so that this specimen is at least one year old. 
A dark line divides the area outside the kernel into an inner broad opaque zone 
and an outer narrow transparent zone. There is a possibility that this line 
represents a check in the growth caused by a second winter and that the outer 
marginal zone represents the growth of the following summer up to August 12th, 
when the fish was caught. The outer zone is comparatively narrow to represent 
an additional year, though it should be remembered that in the waters of the 
Bay of Fundy the temperature is higher in the late than in early summer, and 
consequently more rapid growth would take place in late summer. 
In many fishes the otoliths of mature fish are so transparent that the zones 
of growth are easily distinguished. In the specimen of the young Angler they 
are also quite distinct, but in the adult they are opaque and irregular, so that 
it is difficult, even when the otolith is ground down to a thin flake, to recognize 
distinctly the annual rings of growth. 
The otoliths of the Angler lie on either side of the brain with their long axis 
slightly converging posteriorly towards the median axis of the body. They lie 
somewhat tilted towards the brain. For descriptive purposes we may, with 
Fryd, distinguish between a dorsal and a ventral margin, an outer and an inner 
surface, an anterior and a posterior end. The lower or ventral margin is slightly 
curved. The upper or dorsal margin is arched and notched. The outer surface 
is concave and the inner somewhat convex. A little below the centre of the 
inner surface there is a horizontal groove which stands in close relationship 
with the macula acustica. Radial lines run along the surface from the central 
portion to the upper margin and end in the notches. 
The otoliths of the Angler are small for the size of the fish; their diameter 
in a specimen 11.2 cm. long was, as we have seen, one mm. Below the measure- 
ments of otoliths from Anglers of various sizes are given. 
FIsH OTOLITH 
Length Length Width Weight 
95 cm. 9 mm. 6.5 mm. 0.12 grams 
19°2-cm. a 6 _ ONO Tes 
74 ~ Bie 5 " OrOby ays 
AGYD 6:98 -— 5 + O20 aes 
AOE Dis Oss i * O07 S55 
103.405" a es 6 a 0.45 
99 ~ TOs Se OAD SS a OAS taee 
Apart from the typical features described above there is a great variety of 
form in the otoliths of the Angler. Frequently the notches are quite deep, 
forming prominent lobes, and in some cases the otolith is deeply cleft by a 
groove dividing it into two main sections. In the other cases the notches are 
barely perceptible. This is generally true of the otoliths of the young specimens. 
122 
