FOURTEEN TELEOSTEAN FISHES AT BEAUFORT, N. C. 
437 
spines, although the posterior ones (which appear last) are still very short and feeble. 
The heterocercal character of the tail, described for smaller specimens has disap- 
peared completely. The caudal fin has become longer and more pointed; the anal 
fin is well developed and the second spine has become much enlarged; and the 
pectorals and ventral have become much larger and now have definite rays. Prom- 
inent serrations are present on the opercle and preopercle. General pigmentation 
has not yet taken place. The blackish spot at the articulation of the mandible, 
described for specimens 2.8 millimeters long is still present; a row of 4 black chro- 
matophores is present on the 
median line between the 
isthmus and the vent; a 
prominent black chromato- 
phore lies at the base of the 
first soft ray of the anal; a 
row of 5 is situated on the 
. . , . . , , , Figure 54 . — Micropogon undulatus. From a specimen 12.5 millimeters long 
median line between the end 
of the anal and the base of the caudal; and about 3 black chromatophores are situated 
on the base of the caudal fin. The rest of the body remains unpigmented. 
Specimens 21.0 millimeters long . — The body at this age (size) as in younger 
ones, is somewhat more slender than in adults, the depth being contained in the 
length about 3.4 times, whereas in adults it is contained about 2.9 times in the length. 
The mouth is still oblique (although much less so than in very small specimens) and 
terminal. Pigmentation has progressed somewhat but it has not become general. 
In addition to the markings described for specimens 15.0 millimeters long, specimens 
21.0 millimeters long have a row of about 6 dark chromatophores, extending from 
the nape to the end of the dorsal base and another row of about 4 dark spots along 
Figure 56 . — Micropogon undulatus. From a specimen 20 millimeters long 
the middle of the side, between the point of the pectoral and the base of the caudal. 
(Fig. 55.) 
Specimens 30.0 millimeters long . — -Scales at this size (age) are becoming visible 
for the first time, and they are present and partly formed nearly everywhere on the 
head and body. The mouth is nearly but not quite horizontal and slightly inferior 
and the spines (serrations) on the preopercle and subopercle are large and sharp. 
The middle rays of the caudal fin are much produced, being nearly equal to the 
length of the head. General pigmentation has not yet taken place but dark chroma- 
tophores have multiplied greatly in number and are scattered over most of the body, 
the largest ones being visible with the unaided eye. Barbels on the mandible appear 
