) 



179 



function, it is afterwards carried back by the latter to the place from which it 

 sprung, where, after undergoing some process, it becomes nutritious, and again 

 passes through the artery for the supply of the egg, &c. As the fish increases in 

 size the egg decreases, the blood-vessels at length disappear, and the egg is ulti- 

 mately reduced to the size of a pea, when it seems drawn up in the middle, and at 

 length disappears, it being absorbed by that stomach which had been gradually 

 forming from its humour. This stomach bears such a close resemblance to the 

 colour of the egg, that, when half-formed, there at first sight appears to be two 

 eggs. 



On this egg being pricked, a liquid flows out having the appearance of hu- 

 mour ; on examining the outward covering after pressing out the liquor, the blood 

 vessels appear to be inclosed in it. If the liquor is suffered to dry it will form a 

 soft gluey substance, similar to that of the yolk of a Fowl's egg. 



It appears that the liquor from this egg supports and nourishes the fish in its 

 embryo state, and afterwards performs one of the principal functions of its exist- 

 ence ; probably the same function as the yolk of a Fowl's egg, i. e., to assisting 

 the chicken forming in its shell, and ultimately form the entrails. 



One fish taken from the shell in an early stage of its existence lived but a 

 few hours. Another, probably advanced three or four days, and a third, appa- 

 rently about to break its shell in about as many days, lived and came to perfection 

 a month or five weeks after, the eye, though closed, being capable of motion all 

 the time.* 



It would, therefore, seem that life, or rather motion, commences at an early pe- 

 riod of its embryo state ; and probably about the time, or a little before, the egg is 

 absorbed, the fish is perfect in all its parts, and capable of seeking its own nourish- 

 ment ; and when the egg is entirely absorbed hunger compels it to force its way 

 out of the shell in search of food.f 



A. 



• The eye, when formed, appears inclined to open, but is prevented by long, narrow 

 slips of skin-like eye-lashes, but united at their ends. 



•j- From the number of sea-shells left by the tides about this time, it appears the ova come 

 to perfection about the time shell-fish cast their shells ; so that during this early stage of 

 their existence providence directs they shall meet with food to support them in their state 

 of weakness. 



2 a 2 



