A FISH FROM A PELAGIC EGG. 35 



itself iii the water with its large breast-fins (Fig. 10), and 

 evincing both intelligence and dexterity. Nothing is more 

 interesting than to observe the young fishes in the hatching 

 boxes at Dunbar keeping their heads to the current as soon 

 as strength permits. They form dense parallel rows like a 

 vast regiment. Moreover, this activity greatly promotes re- 

 spiration in those like the gurnard with a motionless 

 mandible, the water being thus sent through the mouth and 

 over the branchial region. Its mouth has now opened and the 

 yolk-sac has been absorbed, while it feeds on the more minute 

 of the little Copepods, especially those almost microscopic 

 in size, that swarm in the surrounding water, and the consider- 

 ation of which, before proceeding further, will form the theme 

 of the next chapter. 



32 



