REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIAENIDAE 
75 
dark points are evident on the sides and back, but they have become smaller and less 
numerous since a length of 35 millimeters was attained (fig. 18). 
Specimens of the size described are virtually young adults and are readily recog- 
nized. The body remains slightly more compressed, however, and the caudal fin is 
less deeply concave and the lower lobe is more sharply rounded. 
The principal characters that distinguish the adults of this form from the other 
local species of the genus are developed at this size, and are usable in making identi- 
fications. They are the rather large scales (72 to 74 vertical series above the lateral 
line), which are conspicuously reduced in size on the chest; the low dorsal spines, 
none being produced; the short anal, which typically has only 7 soft rays; the very 
short pectorals, which fail conspicuously to reach the tips of the ventrals; and the 
plain silvery gray coloration. The small, vertically elongate pupil still is con- 
spicuous and readily distinguishes this species from americanus, although not from 
saxatilis. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE YOUNG 
Young under 9 millimeters in length were not taken. Their habitat and distribu- 
tion, therefore, remain unknown. Young ranging upward of 9 millimeters were 
found only in the surf, at Cape Lookout and on the outer shores of the “banks.” So 
far as known the young, like the adults, dwell on or near the bottom. 
GROWTH 
The measurements of 180 young taken during June, July, August, and September 
are entirely inadequate to cast much light upon the rate of growth. However, speci- 
mens of the 0-class, 98 millimeters long taken in August, and others 120 millimeters 
in length caught in September, when probably only about 3 or 4 months old, suggest 
rapid growth. Nothing is known concerning the rate of growth after the first several 
months. 
STAR DRUM (Stellifer lanceolatus (Holbrook)) 
This small drum has no common name at Beaufort. The two names, “star 
drum” and “bullhead” occur in the literature. The species ranges from Chesa- 
peake Bay to Texas and possibly to Mexico, its southern range of distribution not 
having been definitely determined. The species is recorded from Chesapeake Bay 
(Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928, p. 282) from a single specimen. It is recorded 
