SCL2ENID.2E OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES COAST. 
185 
brown blotches, somewhat smaller than the eye, lies below the lateral line, one behind 
the opercle, one under the afterpart of the spinous dorsal, two or three under the 
soft dorsal, and one on the caudal peduncle. There is a large irregular blotch of 
brown on the nape and a number of smaller ones along the bases of the dorsal fins 
and on the caudal peduncle. The membrane of the spinous dorsal is punctulated 
with dark brown, and similar, smaller punctulations appear on the soft dorsal 
Fig. 43— Adult fish. 
SCL55NOPS OCELLATUS. 
distally and on the produced median portion of the caudal fin. The pectorals, 
ventrals, and anal are hyaline. 
An example 6.3 cm. in length is quite similar, except in the presence of a dark 
brown blotch at the base of the upper caudal rays. This blotch appears to be the 
first phase of the ocellated caudal spot of the adult. 
In a specimen 12 cm. long the color is paler and the blotches, with the excep- 
tion of the caudal spot, are less distinct. 
The growth of the young of Scisenops ocellatus during their first winter is slow. 
From measurement of the few examples available, it appears that in Chesapeake 
Bay a length of about 5 cm. (2 inches) is reached by the middle of March. Eight 
examples taken at Beaufort, N. C., on June 22, 1914, show an average length of 
about 16 cm. (61 inches) with extremes of 13 and 18 cm. (5J and 7\ inches). The 
material at hand is insufficient for a study of further growth. Examination of the 
