of the Fishenj Board for Scotland. 



57 



Those of the largest fish measured 5 '4mm. in length by about 2mm. in 

 depth {see fig. 45, pi. iii. b.), while those of the smallest (fig. 18, pi. ii. b.) 

 measure 5mm. by about 2mm. It will be noticed that the earstones of 

 the pogge are moderately large in proportion to the length of the fish. 

 Those of the smallest specimen are about the one twenty-third part of its 

 entire length. 



Fam. PBDICULATIDiE. 



Genus Lophius. 



LopMus piscatorius, Linn. The Angler-fish. PI. iii. b., figs. 61 and 62; 

 pi iv, fig. 31; pi. v., fig. 19. 



The earstones from a fairly large angler, 36 inches long, are represented 

 by fig. 61 on pi. iii. b. They are comparatively broad, and their out- 

 line is somewhat irregular; the lower margin, which has a stout rib 

 extending nearly from end to end, is obtusely geniculated, the angular 

 part being nearly intermediate between the two extremities. The upper 

 margin is arcuate and thin, and at the anterior end where it meets the 

 lower margin it forms a blunt-pointed angle, but the posterior end is 

 obliquely truncated. Numerous and somewhat obscure lines radiate from 

 the middle portion of the lower rib to the edge of the upper margin, 

 which may be crenulate or notched. These earstones are about 105mm. 

 in length by about 7mm. in depth. The earstones of the smaller angler, 

 the size of which has not been recorded, have the upper margin more 

 regularly arcuate, while the lower want the angular outline of the larger 

 otoliths. They measure about 5 - 5mm. by 3 -5mm. The angler's earstones 

 are small when compared with the length of the fish, those of the large 

 specimen mentioned being only a little over one-ninetieth part of the 

 entire length of the fish. 



Fam. Trachinid^e. 

 Genus Trachinus. 



Trachinus vipera, Cuvier. The Lesser Weaver-fish. PI. ii, b., figs. 8 and 9. 



The earstones of the lesser weaver-fish are narrow and somewhat ovate 

 in outline ; both ends are pointed. Those represented by the figures on 

 pi. ii. b. have thin surfaces slightly decorticated, so that the markings 

 are obscure. The larger of the two fishes represented (fig 8) measured 

 127mm. long (about 5 inches), and the earstones were fully 6mm. in 

 length by 2 '5mm. in depth ; the smaller fish measured 119 mm., and its 

 otoliths were slightly smaller than the others. 



Trachinus draco, Linn, The Greater Weaver-fish. PI. ii. b., fig. 10. 



The specimen of Trachinus draco, from which the earstones represented 

 by fig. 10 were obtained measured llf inches in length. The earstones, 

 though somewhat similar in shape to those of the lesser weaver just 

 described, were considerably larger, being at least 10mm. long by fully 

 4*5mm. in depth. 



Fam. Soombrid^e. 

 Genus Scomber. 



Scomber scombrus, Linn. The Mackerel. PI. iii. b., fig. 36 ; pi. v., 

 fig. 33. 



