DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE HISTORY OF SOME TELEOSTS 
627 
beyond which no collecting was done. Larger young, too, were taken offshore as 
well as near the shore. However, no young measuring less than 40 mm long were 
found in the bays and estuaries, and not many until a length of 50 to 60 mm had been 
attained. Thereafter, for a period of about 3 months, February, March, and April, 
they were common to numerous on muddy bottom in the estuary of Newport River, 
but no more so than on the very muddy bottom in the vicinity of the “sea buoy” 
at the entrance of Beaufort Inlet. However, those taken in Newport River averaged 
larger in size. U. regius nearly always was greatly in the majority, though in its 
habitat it did not seem to differ from jloridanus. 
The young, up to 40 mm in length, sometimes were taken at the surface, though 
more frequently at the bottom. All the larvae, except one specimen measuring under 
10 mm in length were taken in surface nets. Presuming that the eggs of regius and 
doridanus are pelagic, like those of chuss, the young would be expected to remain at 
the surface, where they are hatched, at least until the yolksac, with its oil globule, is 
absorbed. That they not only stay there until the yolk is absorbed but for some time 
afterward, is indicated by the catches made. However, the hakes, with inferior 
mouths and ventral fins developed as feelers (presumably for prowling around on the 
bottom), are typical bottom-dwelling fishes. According to our data that is the common, 
if not the exclusive, habitat after a length of 40 mm or so is attained. Futhermore, 
they seem to prefer muddy bottom, as already stated. 
Although young regius and jloridanus are common to numerous, in the areas 
named, during winter and early spring, they disappear almost entirely from shallow 
water by June 1, and the adults either are scarce or missing at all times. Definite 
information as to where the young go was not obtained. It seems probable, however, 
that they merely withdraw to deeper water. It at least seems rather certain that the 
adults are common in the offshore waters in the vicinity of Beaufort during the re- 
productive season as considerable spawning must take place locally, for the young at 
times were taken in great abundance, outnumbering all other species. In the absence 
of information to the contrary, it may perhaps be assumed that the deeper offshore 
water is the regular habitat of the local species of hakes. The abundance of the 
young in the shallow water during their first winter suggests an abundant population. 
It might even be possible to develop a hake fishery if their habitat could be located, 
which apparently should be sought in rather deep water with muddy bottom. 
GROWTH 
The measurements of fish tabulated in the accompanying tables are based wholly 
on young fish believed to be 6 or 7 months and less of age. Certainly there is no 
break in the growth curve. Very few larger fish were taken. Assuming that the fish 
for which measurements are given are all under 6 or 7 months old a rapid rate of growth 
is indicated, for a few individuals of both regius and jloridanus apparently reached a 
length slightly upward of 8 inches at an age of about 6 months. If regius attains a 
length of only about 16 inches and jloridanus is even smaller, as shown by the data 
available, early maturity surely would result if such a rapid rate of growth were 
maintained. 
