FOURTEEN TELEOSTEAN FISHES AT BEAUFORT, N. C. 
471 
Figure &2.— Paralichthys sp. From a specimen 2.75 millimeters long 
phores on the visceral mass, aids identification. Another recognition mark is the 
base of a small fin just becoming evident at the nape. This fin develops rays at a 
slightly larger size, which still later became produced and separate (that is, without 
interradial membranes) and persist until the right eye crosses the ridge of the head 
at a length of 10 to 12 millimeters. Through all the stages of the fish intermediate 
of a length of 4 to about 12 millimeters this fin, therefore, serves as a recognition mark. 
Specimens 6 millimeters long.— 
At this size the head is quite fully in 
line with the axis of the body, the 
occipital hump inclosing the brain, 
described in the smaller fish, no 
longer is present and the brain 
is now inclosed in the cranium 
through which it is plainly visible. 
External symmetry remains complete. A decrease in the proportionate depth of 
the anterior part of the body has taken place. The visceral mass projects less 
prominently than in the smaller fish described and it is more firmly attached, the 
body wall having thickened and definitely enveloped it. The small fin at the nape, 
of which the base only is present in a 4-millimeter specimen, is now well developed. 
Rays in the caudal fin, below the 
upward curve of the notochord 
are just beginning to appear. In 
pigmentation no changes worthy 
of note have taken place. Al- 
though chromatophores are not 
shown on the abdomen in the 
accompanying drawing, they are 
Figure S3 .— Paralichthys sp. From a specimen 4 millimeters long 
present in some specimens of this size. (Fig. 84.) 
Specimens 7 millimeters long. — The fish is becoming more definitely compressed. 
This is especially true of the caudal portion of the body, which also has increased 
greatly in depth since a length of 5 to 6 millimeters was attained. Symmetry no 
longer is complete, as the right eye is situated slightly higher than the left one. A 
notable depression in the dorsal profile of the head is now present over the eyes. The 
mouth is less strongly oblique 
than in smaller specimens. The 
caudal fin is rather fully devel- 
oped and rays are appearing in 
the dorsal and anal fins, and the 
small fin at the nape, described 
in somewhat smaller specimens, 
IS merging with the long dorsal. Figure 84. — Paralichthys sp. From a specimen 5.5 millimeters long 
Pigmentation remains much as 
in 5 and 6 millimeter fish, except that the markings have become more distinct and 
a dark spot is present at the occiput near the origin of the dorsal. (Fig. 85.) 
Specimens 8 millimeters long. — The fish has become much more compressed and 
“flounder shaped.” The normal number of fins, including ventrals, are present. 
The finlet at the nape, described for smaller fish, has become definitely merged with 
the dorsal. A few of its rays are longer and larger, however, than the other rays 
of the dorsal. The right eye has made considerable progress in its migration, for it 
