MAY 14 1898 j- ^q^ j 



Notes on the Reproduction of Teleostean Fishes 

 in the South- Western District. 



By 

 Ernest W. L. Holt. 



These notes are intended to be explanatory of the record of tow-net 

 stages of Teleosteans kept by Mr. S. D. Scott and myself. Although my 

 own name appears alone under the title, it must be understood that the 

 observations were in the sole charge of Mr. Scott until the beginning of 

 March. The record of the 5th April is also Mr. Scott's. The rest 

 were kept by myself. The credit of any scientific result that may 

 accrue from the observations previous to the 30th March belongs 

 therefore solely to Mr. Scott, since his notes and figures are so complete 

 as to render my own share of this part of the work a very simple one. 



This journal is not designed for the publication of such profusely 

 illustrated papers as are best suited for the explanation of the earliest 

 stages of Teleosteans. It so happens that in the present instance I am 

 able in most cases to refer either to figures already published, or to 

 others now in the press. A series of notes made at Professor Marion's 

 laboratory at Endoume, Marseilles, was prepared for the press during 

 1897. Observations made at Plymouth during the same period were 

 found to have an obvious bearing on the subject-matter of my 

 researches at Marseilles, and by the generous permission of Professor 

 Marion I have been allowed to include in a paper shortly to be 

 published in the Anncdes du Musee dc Marseille* a number of drawings 

 made from Plymouth specimens. I am therefore able in many 

 instances to eke out somewhat inadequate descriptions by references 

 to figures in the Annales. 



The subjoined notes on the reproduction of different species call for 

 no introductory remarks ; but one feature which has not, as I believe, 

 been hitherto noticed, appears to require a little attention. That the 

 largest fish are the earliest spawners is, as I imagine, the general 



* "Sur La Reproduction des Poissons osseux, surtout dans lo Golfo de Marseille," loc, 

 cit., v., Fasc. II., 1898. 



NEW SEllIES.— VOL. V. NO. 2. H 



