FOURTEEN TELEOSTEAN FISHES AT BEAUFORT, N. C. 
447 
being otherwise plain translucent. Some of the specimens at hand are much darker 
than others, which, however, may be due largely to the method of preservation. 
The darker-colored specimens appear to be less profusely spotted than the lighter 
ones. (Fig. 61.) 
Specimens 20 millimeters long . — Scales first become evident at a length of about 
18 millimeters, although not shown in the accompanying drawing (fig. 62), and at a 
length of 20 millimeters the body is fully scaled. The pectoral fins are equal to or a 
little longer than the head, the ventral fins reach the vent, the dorsal fin is high and 
the rays are slender, reaching slightly beyond the base of the caudal when deflexed. 
The middle rays of the caudal fin are now a little shorter than the upper ones, making 
the margin of the fin 
slightly concave. The 
upper lobe is short and 
rounded and the lower 
lobe is much longer but 
also rounded. The char- 
acteristic shape of the 
fin in the adult there Figure 61 . — Parexocoetus mesogaster. From a specimen II millimeters long 
fore, is closely approached at this early age. Two short barbels, or dermal flaps, 
usually, although not always (unless they have been lost in some of the preserved 
specimens), are present at the symphysis of the lower jaw. Pigmentation remains 
about as in 10-millimeter specimens, except that dark spots are developed on the 
ventral and dorsal fins, the dorsal fin being mostly black in some specimens. In 
some individuals the posterior rays of the anal fin also are dark. (Fig. 62.) 
Specimens 35 millimeters long . — The body has the shape and form of the adult. 
A slight keel, in which the lateral line is situated, is present along the ventral edge of 
the body as in the adult. Two short dermal tentacles usually are evident at the tip 
of the lower jaw. It is quite probable that normally two tentacles are present. 
Figure 62 . — Parexocoetus mesogaster. From a specimen 18 millimeters long 
However, they are delicate and no doubt sometimes are lost in preserved specimens. 
The pectoral fins reach slightly past the base of the ventrals or about to the origin of 
the dorsal. The ventral and dorsal fins are proportionately as large as in the adult, 
for the ventrals reach to or a little past the origin of the anal and the longest rays 
of the dorsal reach a little beyond the base of the caudal. The caudal fin with its 
long lower lobe and upper short one is slightly forked and shaped virtually as in the 
adult. Pigmentation remains about the same as in 20-millimeter specimens, except 
that the dark chromatophores on the body have decreased slightly in size and probably 
in number and have become profuse on the large pectoral, which is plain translucent 
in fish 20 millimeters and under in length. (Fig. 63.) 
