—— 
——_ re 
of the Fishery Board for Scotiand, 56 
The earstones of seven fishes of different sizes are represented on 
Plate i. B. The largest fish was about 15 inches in length and the 
smallest 7 inches, but though the earstones differ considerably in size 
they retain to a large extent their characteristic form and sculpture. 
Their general outline may be thus briefly described. The upper and 
lower margins are arcuate, but the one rather more so than the other. 
One end is obliquely truncated, while the other is bifid or forked, and a 
distinct groove extends from the apex of the fork to almost the opposite 
end of the earstone. The earstones from the largest fish (15 inches long) 
measured 4°8mm. in length by about 4mm. in depth, and are thus com- 
paratively small in proportion to the size of the fish, being only equal to 
an eightieth part of its length. They are represented by fig. 46. The 
other fishes in the series measure about 134 inches, 134 inches, 123 
inches, 94 inches, 74 inches, and 7 inches in length, and the length of 
their earstones stated in the same order is nearly 4°5mm., 4°Omm., 4°3mm., 
3Omm., 2°7mm., and 2°5mm., their greatest width being about one-fifth 
less than the length. They were all nearly flat or only slightly incurved. 
Figs. 12 and 13, pl. iv., represent figs. 50 and 51, on pl. i., B., considerably 
enlarged. 
Trigla pint, Bloch. The Red Gurnard. Pl. 1. B., fig. 53; pl. iv., fig. 15. 
The earstones represented by fig. 53 are from a red gurnard 345mm 
(nearly 132 inches) in length. They have a general resemblance to those 
of the grey gurnard, except that the lower margin is produced posteriorly 
into a sharp point. The extreme length of the earstones is about 55mm. 
by 3°5 in depth. Fig. 15, pl. iv., shows the earstones considerably 
enlarged. 
Trigla lineata, Gmel. The Streaked Gurnard. Pl. i. B., figs. 54 and 55 ; | 
pl. iv., fig. 20. 
The two specimens of Trigla lineata whose earstones are represented 
here measured respectively 10} inches and 8 inches in length. The 
otoliths, which do not differ much in size, being about 4mm. long by fully 
25mm. in depth, are in their form and markings somewhat similar to 
those of Z'rigla gurnardus. Fig, 20, pl. iv., shows the earstones, 
represented by fig. 54, greatly enlarged. 
Trigla lucerna, |uinn. The Sapphirine Gurnard. Pl.1.B., fig. 56; pl. iv., 
fig. 2). 
The earstones of these species have also a general likeness to those of 
— Trigla gurnardus. The specimen from which those represented here was 
obtained measured 103 inches long, and the earstones were about 3‘8mm. 
by 2°dmm. 
Fam. CATAPHRACTID&. 
Genus Agonus. 
Agonus cataphractus, Linn, The Pogge, PI. ii. B., fig. 18; pl. i. B., 
figs. 44-46; pl. v., fig. 27. 
Four examples of Agonus ranging from about 6 inches to 44 inches in 
length were examined for their earstones. These were found to have a 
narrow oval form, rather obtuse at the one end and pointed at the other. 
