FOURTEEN TELEOSTEAN FISHES AT BEAUFORT, N. C. 
423 
of the mandible, described for very young (3.6 millimeters), still persists. There is 
also a prominent chromatophore on the median line slightly behind the isthmus and 
another at the base of each ventral. Some variation from the pattern described has 
been noticed, as well as a considerable difference in the intensity of the markings. 
(Fig. 47.) 
Specimens 30.0 millimeters long . — No scales are visible in fish 25 millimeters 
long. However, when a length of 30 millimeters is attained scales are evident nearly 
everywhere, the rows forming first and being furthest developed on the sides of the 
abdomen. None of the scales as yet appear to overlap or have free margins. The 
spines attached to the preopercular bones, described for smaller specimens, have 
completely disappeared or more usually are visible within the membrane bone of 
the preopercle, and frequently their tips extend slightly beyond the preopercular 
margin. The lateral line is largely developed. Pigmentation proceeds rapidly while 
the fish grows from 25 to 30 millimeters in length. At the larger size the fish is silvery 
on the lower part of the sides of head and body, and (in alcohol) it is brownish on 
the back and upper parts of the sides. The body nearly everywhere is marked with 
dark chromatophores which extend on all the fins, exclusive of the ventrals. In 
most specimens 30 millimeters long a row of dark blotches is evident along the median 
line of the side, and faint saddlelike blotches sometimes may be seen on the back. 
(Fig. 48.) 
Specimens 50.0 millimeters long . — At this size the fish has acquired essentially 
the form and the color of the adult. The snout is definitely blunt, and the mouth 
is horizontal and inferior. The back is decidedly elevated, and the lower outline 
is nearly straight. The body has become rather deep, the depth now being contained 
in the length to the base of the caudal about three times, whereas in the adults the 
depth is contained in the length about 2.6 times. Dark oblique bars (generally of a 
yellow or brassy shade in life) are present on the back, as in the adult, although less 
distinct. The dark spot at the shoulder, from which the species derives its common 
name, is faintly visible. In fact, the principal characters which distinguish this 
species from all other forms — namely, the comparatively short, compressed body, 
high back, short obtuse head, the small horizontal mouth, the rather long anal fin, 
the concave margin of the caudal fin, the oblique bars, and the dark shoulder spot — are 
all fairly well developed at this size, and the fish is readily identified with the adult. 
(Fig. 49.) 
