142 THE SEA-SCORPION FAMILY. 



in June, together with two others, 3 in. in length. In these 

 the first three rays of the first dorsal protrude beyond the 

 fin-membrane as in the adult ; they are rigid and sharply 

 pointed. The depth of the body is greatly increased and the 

 head is smaller in proportion. 



The next stages occur in July, still on the bottom, and 

 are about 3 to 3^ in. long. Their appearance and structure 

 are practically those of the adult. 



As regards the rate of growth the little gurnards appear 

 to grow fairly rapidly, and by June of the following year two 

 series are noticed, some ranging from 2| to 3 inches and 

 others from 4f to 6^ inches. Another series is represented 

 by little fishes ranging from 4 to 61 inches in length and oc- 

 curring a month earlier than the above (i.e. in May). At present 

 we have no definite means of confirming the supposition that 

 these are all fishes which were hatched during the previous 

 season ; but this is probably the case, in spite of the great 

 disparity of size. The latter feature may be largely due to 

 the lengthened period during which the gurnard spawns. 

 Thus, larvae hatched at the end of April might easily be 

 three months older than those hatched at the end of the 

 spawning-period, which, placing them under more advantageous 

 circumstances for their earlier development, might, apart from 

 the mere difference in age, cause great disparity of size 

 in the following summer. More data are however required 

 before one can pronounce with certainty upon this point. 

 Thus, at the end of August, certain young gurnards range 

 from ^ to f inch and of course differ in point of develop- 

 ment to the same degree. They are all of the same season's 

 growth, but whereas the former are a few weeks old, the 

 latter must have been hatched in the earlier part of the 

 spawning-period. Again at mid-September specimens of 1^ inch 

 are found, which must also be regarded as of the same season's 

 brood. We are thus presented with a series of gurnards at the 

 end of summer ranging from J inch to 1^ inch or more, 

 which vary from an age of a few weeks to one of nearly 

 six months (April to September). 



Taking this series as a basis, those in May referred to 



