112 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 52 



set examined April 22d, 1848, had the eye very distinct, and of large 



size. The foetal fin extended from the head, by the tail, to the anus. 



In the course of the day, many became liberated and swam about 



with the yolk-bag attached. This was ses- 



/ sile. and filled with a transparent, reddish 



Ik^-^, / liquid, excepting opposite to the embryo, 



■ where was a hard, yellowish cake. All 



[his] attempts at raising the young, or of 



--:=»s&^ development of the egg, failed for want of 



Fig. 37.— Embryo of C. fresh spring water." No later investiga- 



* ■ " ^ ■ tions have been published. From the figure 



given by Prevost. it appears that Cotttis has a larger yelk-sac than 



Myo.vocepJialus. 



Growth appears to be moderately rapid, but exact data are want- 

 ing. Specimens in the collection of the National Aluseum are not in 

 sufficient number nor with exact dates of capture enough to enable 



•-% 



Fig. 38. — Fetus of C. gobio 5 mm. long. After Prevost. 



one to distribute them according to size at any given period. Ac- 

 cording to Hartmann and Fatio the common Cottid of Switzerland 

 (Cottits gobio) became capable of reproduction at the age of two 

 years — that is, about the beginning of its third year. 



VIII 



None of the species are utilized for food in the United States, at 

 least by natives. In Europe, however, they are to some extent cm- 

 ployed — not in England, but on the continent. Moreau informs us 

 that in France the quality of the flesh is variously appreciated ; Smitt 

 remarks that in Scandinavia "it is stated by many to be of extremely 

 good flavour." The flesh is "white, but is said to turn red when 

 boiled," in some localities, but, according to Day, "not so in others." 

 Fatio tells that in Switzerland the fish is much sought for, not only 



