CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Introduction 289 



Review of literature ago 



Fastening to integument 290 



Form and mode of orientation 291 



Size 291 



Circuli 292 



Spines 294 



Radii 295 



Focus 295 



Perforating canaliculi and internal lacunae 296 



Structiu'e, formation, and growth 296 



Classification 298 



Age determination 299 



Application of scale characters to age determination 304 



Count of annuli 304 



Polarized light 309 



The selective action of picrocarmine stain '. ; . . . 309 



The origins of the radii 309 



Year groups in length and weight 310 



Interpretation of the radii 311 



Life history of the squeteague (Cynoscion regalis) as indicated by the scales 314 



Conclusions 316 



Age determination 316 



Radii 316 



Circuli 316 



Annuli 317 



Classification 317 



Life history 317 



Supplemental observations on the pigfish, Orthopristis chrysopterus 319 



Synonymy of terms 324 



Bibliography 325 



287 



