OVARIES OF FISHES. 163 
as spent the minute globules, or the commencement of yolk, were 
observed in a number of the ova, and seemed to denote, not as in the 
plaice ova destined to degenerate, but the development of yolk for 
next season’s crop. A number of small soles were examined in June, 
ginchesto 104 inches in length, and in many of these the globules were 
present in the ova. A more complete study of the sole’s ovary, 
especially in the spent condition, will be necessary in order to fully 
elucidate the matter, but it is clear that the development of the 
yolk in this species is somewhat different from that observed in the 
plaice and flounder. In distinguishing between mature and immature 
soles I have always set down those in which only the minute globules 
were present in the ova, or in which the yolk was only just commenced, 
as immature, since it was evident that such ovaries could not reach 
the mature condition in the season in which they were examined. 
Turbot. 
In a turbot, 30 inches long, examined on January 27th, the roe 
was flaccid and collapsed, evidently one that had previously spawned. 
Under the microscope the yolk was found to be commencing to 
develop in some of the largest eggs, while here and there yellowish 
opaque masses and one or two shrunken dead eggs represented the 
Fie. 6.—Portion of the germinal tissue from ovary of a turbot 30 in. long, 
examined January 27th. yk., ova in which formation of yolk has commenced ; 
bl., blood-vessels; d. 0., degenerate ova left from previous spawning. 
remnants of the previous spawning. The condition of the germinal 
tissue in this specimen is shown in Fig, 6. In immature specimens 
examined on the same date, 153 inches and 17 inches in length, the 
