OBSERVATIONS ON FISH SCALES. 
163 
Sciaeninae ( Leiostomus , Micropogon, Menticirrhus), the drums. Elements of apical marginal and sub¬ 
marginal area without any definite median keel or ridge; apical teeth pointed (. Menticirrhus) or 
truncate. 
The specific characters are given in the table of acanthopterygian scales above. In all the lateral 
circuli run parallel with the margin. The squeteague Cynoscion regalis is quite different from the 
Fig. 30.— Upeneus (Mullidae). Ctenoid area. Bureau 
of Fisheries. 
Fig. 31. —Micropogon undulatus 
(Sciaenidae). Apical teeth. 
Bureau of Fisheries. 
others by the very numerous and densely placed basal radii, which, however, occupy only about the 
middle third of the scale. In all the apical elements run conspicuously in straight lines, producing a 
sort of fluted effect. 
LATILIDiF. Blanquellos. 
In the tilefish Lopholatilus chamceleonticeps Goode & Bean, from the Gulf Stream, the scales are 
subquadrate, the larger ones about 9 mm. long and 8 broad, the laterobasal corners rectangular. Nucleus 
subapical; about five basal radii coming from the nucleus, but several of these are branched, and there 
are a few incomplete radii, so that about 13 reach the margin; lower margin crenate; lateral circuli 
coarse, not dense, parallel with the margin; apical ctenoid field very well developed, the marginal teeth 
Fig. 32.— Cynoscion regalis (Sciaeni¬ 
dae). Apical teeth. Bureau of 
Fisheries. 
Fig. 33.— Lopholatilus chamceleonticeps (Latilidae). Apical 
structures. A, normal scale; B, latinucleate scale. Bureau 
of Fisheries. 
truncate. Latinucleate scales are greatly modified, and would not be recognized as coming from the 
same fish. 
CIRRHITIDiE. Cirrhitoids. 
Cirrhitichthys maculatus Gunther from the Red Sea (M. C. Z., 3686) has large broadly rounded 
scales, about 9 mm. long and io>£ broad, with the lower margin crenate, but otherwise straight, and the 
laterobasal comers rectangular. The strong basal radii are about 12 to 14. The excessively fine lateral 
