124 NOTFS ON THE REPRODUCTION' OF TF.LEOSTKAN FiSllES 



yellow, with a deeper patch near the middle of the post-anal region. 

 Several bands of black chroraatophores radiate from the eye ; there 

 is a black patch on the top of the head and a row of black cliromato- 

 phores on the cheeks. A band of black, notched at intervals, occurs 

 on the dorsum, a row of black along the base of the anterior part 

 of the anal, and there are some small black chromatophores along 

 the lateral line. The pectorals are reddish brown, with very large 

 transversely elongated black chromatophores, or groups of chromato- 

 phores, arranged on the interradial membrane so as to form rows 

 transverse to the long axis of the fin. The pigment differs thus 

 in colour rather than in general distribution from that of B. ocdlaris. 

 The pigmentation of the pectoral is practically that of the adult 

 Dadylopterus volitans. The specimen is figured in the Marseilles 

 paper. 



On the same day I saw, but failed to catch, what were probably 

 similar larva3. They were among the Laminaria at the sides of a 

 tidal pool near the place of capture of the specimen described. A 

 day later we found another — a little larger — in the Helford river 

 zostera bed, at low water. Older specimens, 19-5 and 20 mm. long, 

 were taken at the surface in Plymouth Sound on the 7th September, 

 but I omitted to note the presence or absence of any lloating body 

 to which they might have been clinging. A feature of note is the 

 extraordinary activity of the larva when out of its native element. 

 Its leaping powers are most respectable, and no injury seems to ensue 

 from contact with terrestrial matters. I suppose that its locomotion 

 on land is accomplished in the same way as that of Periophthalmus ; 

 but my specimens were a great deal too lively to make sure of this. 

 I imagine that the young shanny is not infrequently stranded by 

 the falling tide, in which case its jumping powers may serve it in 

 good stead. 



Ctenolabrus rupestris. Linn. 



Holt, E. W. L., Sci. Trans. E. Dab. Soc, S. II., iv., 1891, p. 465, Pis. 

 XLVIII., XLIX. Tow-net egg and larva, Sj). iv. 



Pelagic ova taken on the west coast of Ireland were referred to 

 this species on account of the close resemblance they bore to those of 

 the American connor, C. adspersus. This identification has never been 

 confirmed by the evidence of ovarian eggs, and perhaps hardly requires 

 such confirmation. A glance at our records will show the frequency 

 with which the egg has been taken in the Plymouth district during 

 1897. This is by no means surprising, as the parent species is exceed- 

 ingly abundant on rocky ground both in the Sound and outside the 

 Breakwater. It occurs also, if one may judge from the evidence of 



