122 THE SEA-SCORPION-FAMILV. 



almost coming up to that on the abdomen, while the ventral 

 series is confined to the tip. The specimens were very in- 

 differently preserved, but the marginal fin showed no fin-rays 

 except in the caudal region, the tip of which had well-marked 

 embryonic rays. The pectorals seemed to be little developed. 

 The hyoidean and mandibular cartilages were fairly developed 

 and the mouth open. 



So far as could be ascertained from this example there were 

 no signs of a rapid succession of series of eggs, but, on the 

 contrary, a wide interval evidently existed between the free 

 embryos and the largest of the developing eggs, an interval 

 probably extending over an entire season. 



The appearances of the villi pointed to their having similar 

 functions to those in the viviparous blenny, viz. to supply 

 amongst other things a nutritive pabulum for the embryos, and 

 this before any special development of the intestinal canal of 

 the embryo could take place. 



The larvas of Scorpcvna abound at Naples in June, but 

 Mr Williamson did not make out the species. 



The Sea-Scorpion-Family. Cottidae. 



THE SHORT-SPINED SEA-SCORPION. (Coitus scorpius, L.) 



The short-spined sea-scorpion was one of the fishes very 

 early examined in regard to spawning during the trawling work 

 of 1884 and the following year. Comparatively little was 

 known previously in regard to it. Thus Day, in his British 

 Fishes 1 , states that, 'In Greenland it has been observed to 

 deposit its eggs on the seaweed in December and January. 

 Its eggs are very small, and in this country are extruded 

 during the spring in the sand or pools in the rocks. The male 

 is said to make a nest of seaweeds and pebbles for the re- 

 ception of the spawn ; while he is believed to watch over, as 

 well as protect, the young when hatched.' On the other hand, 

 Prof. Alex. Agassiz records the ova of certain American Cotti 



1 Page 186. 



