South African Fishes. 3 r i 



time did they begin to sink to the bottom. It was also brought to 

 the notice of the Commission that it had already been demonstrated 

 in Northern waters that there was only one fish of practical economic 

 importance depositing its eggs on the bottom (the herring), and only 

 a small s])ecies of herring {Clupea ocellata), of little value to the 

 present fishermen, occurs in the Cape seas. On the whole it was 

 felt very necessary that further enquiries should be made into the 

 subject and definite information obtained. Recently facilities have 

 been afforded by Government for more careful examination on shore 

 of the eggs and larvae procured by means of fine nets and from the 

 mature fish, and the following is a review of some of the most im- 

 portant results. 



The eggs and larvae of the following fish are dealt with : 



ChrASOphrys globileps, C. & V. ... White Stumpnose. 



gibbiceps, C. & V. ... Red Stumpnose. 



Dentex argyrozona. C. & V. ... Silver Fish. 



Pagellus mormyrus, Linn. ... Zeverrim or Zee-basje. 



Agriopus verrucorus. C. iK: ^'. ... Horse Fish. 



Trigla kumu. Less. ... ... ... Red Gurnard. 



Sciaena aquila. Risso. ... ... Kabeljaauw. 



Clinus superciliosus. Linn. ... ... Klip-fish. 



,, capensis. C. & V. . . . ... ., 



Synaptura pectoralis. Kaup. ... Sole. 



Achirus capensis. Kaup. ... ... ,. 



The ova and larvae of fish as vet unknown are also described. 

 These, designated Species LXL were found in fair abundance in 

 tow nettings, and two (.sp. I & II) were found in dredging, being 

 attached to shells and rocks. One species (XI) was procured in the 

 dredge and consisted of a cluster of eggs perhaps demersal. With 

 the exception of these last three all the eggs examined were found 

 to be pelagic or floating eggs. 



Only two instances among the teleostean fishes have been found 

 in which the young is brought forth alive. This is the rase in two 

 species of Klip-fish {Clinus superciliosus and Clinus capensis). 



