DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE HISTORY OF SOME TELEOSTS 
623 
The difference in the number of dorsal rays between regius and chuss is pointed 
out in a preceding section, as well as in the key to the species. However, chuss and 
Jloridanus have so nearly the same number of rays in the dorsal that they cannot be 
separated readily, if at all, by that character. Nevertheless, the last-mentioned 
species differ in the number of anal rays, chuss having 52 to 56, whereas jloridanus 
has only 40 to 49 (the same number as in regius), as shown in the key to the species. 
The anal rays are well enough developed when the fish reach a length of about 25 mm 
to permit the use of this distinguishing character. 
Much variation in color exists among specimens, some individuals being much 
more profusely spotted than others. The two specimens of chuss of this size at hand 
are much more profusely dotted than any others. However, insufficient specimens 
are available to determine whether it is of specific significance. The ventral fins of 
jloridanus are black distally. However, no black is evident on these fins in the old 
preserved specimens of chuss, though of course the smaller ones have it. The first 
dorsal is partly dusky, there being as yet no distinction among the species in this 
respect (fig. 137). 
Specimens 35 to 50 mm long. — The three species; namely, regius, jloridanus, and 
chuss, discussed in the preceding section, are readily recognizable among specimens 
40 to 55 mm in length. They are distinguishable by the characters pointed out in the 
preceding section and some additional ones, as shown subsequently. A fourth 
species, namely, earlli, also is present. This species is discussed separately. 
The body has continued to grow more slender and less strongly compressed, 
especially anteriorly, in regius, jloridanus, and chuss. No measurable difference in 
the range in depth seems to exist among these species. In nine specimens, including 
three of each species, the range of the depth in the standard length is 5.0 to 5.75. In 
the same specimens, the head is contained 3.7 to 4.1 times in the standard length. 
The snout now is equal to, or only slightly shorter than the eye, being contained 
3.75 to 4.5 in the head. The mouth is slightly oblique, and is definitely inferior, being 
situated essentially as in adults. The maxillary is broad posteriorly, and reaches 
nearly or quite opposite the posterior margin of the eye, being contained 1.8 to 2.2 
times in the head. 
The maxillary barbel remains minute in regius and chuss, wherein it is scarcely 
half as long as the pupil. In jloridanus it is much longer, being equal to fully half 
the diameter of the eye. 
The scales are quite fully developed and the series can be counted fairly accurately. 
(The number present in the different species is shown in the key to the species.) 
It is plainly evident, under magnification, without counting, that regius has notably 
larger scales than the other species. 
The fins are all developed essentially as in adults. The pectoral fins are longer 
in regius, wherein they reach beyond the origin of the anal, than in the other species 
