DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE-HISTORIES OF TELEOSTEAN FISHES. 673 
of the germ, the general size being about 3} inch. Towards the period of hatching 
the chitinous zona radiata is more easily torn, and readily splits into lamellz, all of 
which show minute punctures (Pl. XX. fig. 8), appearing like minute pale specks on 
a dark ground. In some again the punctures are lost in a general granular area. 
Whether these so-called punctures were actual canals, or only radiating striz, could not 
be demonstrated. 
This separability of the capsule into layers in the later stages does not conflict with 
the view that it is really a single coat. Such chitinous formations in other forms show 
the same tendency to split into filmy strata under certain circumstances, and, as explained, 
a like tendency is exhibited in the extremely thin zona radiata of Gadus morrhua 
and G. e@glefinus. In size the ovum of Anarrhichas* resembles that of the salmon 
(Pl. XX. figs. 9, 10), though the punctures in the latter form (fig. 11) seem to be 
somewhat larger. 
LIiparis montagui.—The capsule presents externally a minutely areolate appearance 
(Pl. I. fig. 4) due to slight elevations, resembling indeed the surface of grained morocco 
leather, the elevations having a more or less marked linear disposition. In newly 
deposited examples, or in ripe ovarian ova, the external configuration shows an almost 
regular hexagonal character (PI. I. figs. 21, 22), the sutures being pale, while the central 
regions are more opaque, probably from increased thickness. After exposure to water a 
change seems to occur, the hexagonal facets becoming less marked, while a series of eleva- 
tions become visible, ‘and are apparently due, therefore, to a later modification. In 
oblique views the capsule shows undulating surface-markings (PI. I. fig. 22). As these 
ova were not actually observed to be deposited by this species, however, it must be added 
that a margin of doubt exists as to the feature described. 
In this as in other species the zona radiata is at first soft and plant, hardening 
subsequently, as in those deposited in the Laboratory. In the fresh condition minute 
punctures are visible, though these are less distinctly seen after mounting in certain 
media, ¢.g., Farraut’s solution, and on tearing the capsule the same dense series of laminze 
can be separated as in Anarrhichas and Cottus. While in the ovary the eggs have a pale 
straw colour, and measure about ‘043 inch, the oil-globule being 0083 or less, but those 
just deposited in the tanks show a slight increase in size, viz., ‘045 inch in diameter, 
and the oil-globule varies from ‘005 to 0116 of an inch. The eggs of this species are 
very frequent on sea-weeds, zoophytes, and fragments of sticks and débris at the bottom, in 
comparatively shallow water as well as in the deeper parts, and they show much variation 
in colour, from pale straw to a light pink or flesh colour. They have often been mistaken 
for the eggs of the herring, from which they differ in regard to the structure of the 
zona radiata, and in the absence of the so-called vitelline membrane, which Mr Brook, 
however, says is not present. The embryos again are sufficiently diagnostic, for the 
* It is remarkable that the masses of the eggs of this species have hitherto escaped observation, fishermen being so 
little acquainted with them that they were mistaken for those of the salmon. Some time afterwards the recently 
hatched embryos (then unknown) were recognised by one of us in Edinburgh, having been forwarded to the Fishery 
Board for Scotland by one of the steam trawlers of the General Fishing Company, Granton. 
VOL. XXXV. PART III. (NO. 19). 5 R 
