ZOOLOGY. 369 



female organs were foimd to present a number of varieties in the distribu- 

 tion of the eggs upon the surface of the himelLne. As these differences 

 will prove of interest to the systematist and pisciculturist, the analytical 

 table classifying them is here reproduced. 



A. Ovary without duet. 



1. Ovary consisting of a simple lamina {Amjuilla). 



2. Ovary consisting of numerous lamime [Salmonldce). 



B. Ovary with duct. 



1. O vigorous surface confined to a narrow strip of the wall of the ovary 



or forming a duplicature of the wall, with which it is in con- 

 nection by narrow stripes {Scofycvna, &c), 



2. Ovigerous surface occupying the greater part of the ovarian wall. 

 a. Ova originate in irregular processes of the wall {Lopohhran- 



chii, &c.). 

 h. Ova originate in definite lamelhie or duplicatures of the ovarian 

 wall. 



1. Lamelhe parallel to long axis of ovary. 



a. Whole wall of ovary beset with lamellte: canal central 



{Sargus, Scomber, &c.). 

 1). Part of wall of ovary devoid of lamellne ; canal lateral 



(not yet observed). 



2. Lamellne parallel to transverse axis of ovary. 

 a. Ovarian canal central {Perca, Clupea, «&c.). 

 h. Ovarian canal lateral {CijpHnoids). 



THE FLIGHT OF FLYING-FISHES. 



The characteristics of the flight of flying-fishes have been much dis- 

 cussed and have given rise to a considerable controversial literature. 

 In 1878, Prof. Carl Mobius re examined the question from an anatomical 

 and physiological as well as an observational basis, and gave his views 

 in quite an elaborate memoir.* lioth the Exoc(etines and Dactylop- 

 terines were considered. As a result of his studies Professor Mobius 

 came to tbe conclusion that the pectoral fins are not at all actively 

 employed during flight; that the fishes " do not raise themselves, but 

 are passively raised by the ascending currents of air, which are caught in 

 the grooves on the under surface of their pectoral fins." It is admitted, 

 however, that either an exocoetus or dactylopteriis may '^make jiowerful 

 and plainly recognizable movements with its tail and pectorals during 

 its ascent (out of water), and even occasionally in the middle of its course, 

 i f prompted thereto by a strong wetting of the body by the waves." These 

 opinions have been challenged lately, and have provoked several com- 

 munications. 



Mr. C. O. Whitman t made special observations in the flight of i/.»70C<eft 



* Mobius (Carl). Die Bewegungen der fliegenden Fisclie durch die luft. Zeitschrifi 

 fiir wissenschaftliche Zoologie, voL xxx ; Snpplemeut, p. 343. 

 tWLitman (C. O.). Do Flying Fisli Hy? Am. Xat., vol. xiv, pp. G41-654. 

 S. Mis. 31 24 ' 



