REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIAENIDAE 
85 
therefore, that spawning begins as early as May, even though no larvae were taken 
in June, and it extends through October, as some of the smallest larvae (1.9, 2.1, and 
3.0 millimeters long) in the collection were taken on October 22 (1928). 
The eggs, if taken, were not recognized. The larvae were caught in the tow in 
the same general vicinity where the adults are found throughout the year, that is, 
from Beaufort Inlet to Cape Lookout and as much as 12 miles offshore, beyond which 
collecting was not extended. It seems improbable, therefore, that a migration for the 
purpose of spawning takes place. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE YOUNG 
Specimens 1.9 to 2.0 millimeters long. — The body is moderately deep and robust 
for such a small fish, and the decrease in depth at the vent is not abrupt. The caudal 
portion is rather shorter than the rest of the body, the distance from vent to tip of 
notochord being contained 2.25 times in length without caudal fin membrane, and the 
greatest depth of body 4.15 times. Myomeres are partly indistinct; about 25 may 
be counted. The mouth is moderately large and oblique, the gape anteriorly being 
at or slightly above middle of eye, and the maxillary reaches about to the pupil. 
The eye is moderately small for such a young fish and does not exceed the snout in 
length. The color markings of preserved specimens consist principally of a dark 
spot at the vent, a larger and more distinct one at midcaudal length, and a third and 
smaller one about half-way between the last-mentioned spot and the tip of the noto- 
chord. 
The smaller larvae of this species differ from related forms quite notably in having 
the caudal portion of the body rather deep anteriorly, thereby eliminating an abrupt 
decrease in the depth at the vent. 
Specimens 2.3 to 2.6 millimeters long. — The head and trunk are deep, compressed, 
and the decrease in depth just posterior to the vent is less abrupt than in related 
species. The caudal portion of the body remains somewhat shorter than the rest 
of the fish, being contained in the total length without the caudal fin membrane 
2.1 to 2.6 times, and the greatest depth is contained in the length 2.8 to 3.2 times. 
The mouth is moderately large, oblique, with the lower jaw projecting in advance 
of the upper one, the gape anteriorly being on or above the level of lower margin 
of pupil, and the maxillary reaches nearly or quite under anterior margin of pupil. 
Slight indications of rays are discernible in the vertical fin membranes, as well as in 
the pectorals. The color of preserved specimens is brownish. The air bladder may 
be seen as a small clear area, with a dark margin, situated above the base of the 
pectorals. The ventral outline of the abdomen is slightly dusky, with a small black 
spot just behind the gill membranes and another one usually present just behind 
the vent. Two or three black spots occur on the ventral outline of the tail. The 
first one, if present, is a short distance behind the vent; the second and more distinct 
one (sometimes quite elongate) is near midcaudal length, and the third one is about 
midway between the last-mentioned spot and tip of notochord. The inner surface 
of the base of the pectoral is black (fig. 27). 
The head and trunk become abruptly deeper while the fish grows in length 
from about 1.9 to 2.5 millimeters. 
Specimens 3 to 3.5 millimeters long. — The fish has become proportionately 
deeper and more robust, the greatest depth now being contained in the total length 
without the caudal fin membrane about 2.3 times. Although the tail remains much 
