438 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
to develop very unevenly, being evident in some specimens of this size, whereas they 
often can not be found in specimens considerably larger. (Fig. 56.) 
Specimens 50.0 millimeters long .- — Many of the characters of the adult have 
been acquired at this size, yet the young fish in general appearance is rather strikingly 
different from the adult. The caudal fin is still long and pointed, the snout does not 
yet project beyond the premaxillaries ; and the mouth remains a little oblique. A 
row of barbels on the chin generally is evident and the scales are quite fully formed. 
F IGUliE 66 . — Micropogon undulatua. From a specimen 32 millimeters long 
They have free edges and are beginning to show their ctenoid character. Pigmenta- 
tion has progressed fairly rapidly since the last-described age (length 30.0 millimeters), 
but it has scarcely become general. When viewed with the unaided eye, there are 
now present principally three rows of dark spots; one along the edge of the back, 
forming with their fellows of the opposite side more or less saddlelike blotches; 
another row occupies the middle of the side; and a third row lies between the two 
rows already described. 
Specimens 65 millimeters long . — The mouth is horizontal, the snout projects 
slightly beyond the premaxillaries; and the lower jaw is definitely included. The 
back is less prominently elevated than in the adult and the ventral outline is scarcely 
as straight. The caudal fin remains pointed, but is becoming proportionately 
shorter. Pigmentation has become general, the sides are largely silvery, shading 
into a silvery-gray and green toward the back and pale silvery underneath. A more 
or less definite dark blotch is evident on the opercle; the other dark markings 
described for 50-millimeter specimens have increased in size and are about to become 
connected and to form wavy bars, characteristic of the adult. (Fig. 57.) 
