REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIAENIDAE 
61 
black. A large black spot generally is present on the base of the caudal, preceded 
by a pale crossline, the rest of the fin being plain translucent. The anal and ventral 
fins usually are dusky to black, and the pectoral fins generally are plain translucent, 
or sometimes with dusky points (fig. 8). 
The round pupil and the long pointed tail remain as dominant characters in 
distinguishing the present species from the other two local species of the genus. The 
long pectorals and the large scales (which are not notably reduced on the chest) also 
aid in distinguishing the present species from littoralis, while it differs further from 
saxalitis in the more elongate body. 
Specimens 50 to 60 millimeters long . — The fish has acquired virtually the shape 
of the adult, the body being only a little more strongly compressed anteriorly. The 
proportions of the depth to the length are the same as in fish 30 to 35 millimeters 
long, and these proportions also occur in the adults. The snout is more sharply conical, 
projects beyond the mouth more prominently than in smaller fish, and is now fully 
as long as the eye. The mandibular barbel is developed and is about half as long 
as the pupil. No important changes have taken place in the development of the 
Figure Q.—MenticirThus americanus. From a specimen 59 millimeters long. 
fins. The spines in the first dorsal are somewhat shorter, and the lower lobe of the 
caudal remains notably more pointed and proportionately longer, than in the adult. 
The color remains about as in 35-millimeter fish. Some specimens retain indefinite 
dark blotches on the sides, and others have more or less definite oblique bars. | In 
the majority of specimens at hand the base of the caudal is dusky, and this color ex- 
tends on the lower lobe of the fin. The anal and ventrals are injpart white, as in 
the adult (fig. 9.) 
Specimens 50 to 60 millimeters long are enough like the adult to be recognized 
readily. Specimens of this size differ more strongly from full-grown fish in the shape 
of the caudal fin than in any other one character, and this member does not acquire 
the adult shape, namely, a slightly concave upper lobe and a moderately short, rather 
sharply rounded lower lobe, until the fish reach a length of about 100 millimeters. 
At a length of 50 to 60 millimeters the spinous dorsal has become quite pointed, though 
none of the rays are especially produced, nor do any of them reach far beyond the 
origin of the second dorsal. The fish may be distinguished from the other species of 
the genus at this size by about the same characters which identify the adults, namely, 
the rather small scales (86 to 90 vertical series above the lateral line), which are not 
