INFANT FISH HATCHING OUT OF THE EGG. 39B 



When the eggs are first received the eyes of the 

 young fish are just visible as two small black specks. 

 Oil globules can also be perceived, and the tail of the 

 fish moving from side to side with rapid vibratory 

 movement. It does not hurt the eggs when in this 

 state to examine them, and if an egg be held up to the 

 light, the young fish will be seen inside packed away in 

 a most beautiful manner. The eggs themselves do not 

 grow, that is they do not increase in circumference or 

 diameter, but the fish inside certainly increases in bulk, 

 till at last it becomes so large that the shell suddenly 

 bursts, and out comes the young fish. 



It is most interesting to watch the egg at the moment 

 of hatching. 



If you have luck you may happen to be gazing on a 

 particular egg when of a sudden you will see it split in 

 twain at the part corresponding to the back of the fish ; 

 you will then see a tiny head with black eyes and a long 

 tail pop out, and you will see the newly born creature 

 give several convulsive shudders at his attempts to quit 

 himself from the now useless egg shell (fig. 4 ). Poor little 

 fellow, he can't manage to get out, the shell is too tight 

 for him (see engraving) ; take therefore a soft hair peucit 

 press lightly on the egg shell — he seems to know you are 

 his friend — he gives another vigorous kick or two, and 

 presto ! he is free and has commenced life. If we judge 

 from his motions he must enjoy life, for away he swims 

 as fast as his tiny fins and wriggling tail will carry him, 

 round and round in a circle, and then plump down he 

 goes to the bottom of the tank and reclines upon his 

 side, breathing freely by his gills for the first time in 

 his life (for w^hen in the egg he does not and cannot 

 breathe). 



They cannot travel very far, their bag (their umbilical 



