66 H. W. MARETT TIMS. 
tical fishermen of considerable experience on the east coast 
of Scotland that it is well known to them that such is the 
case, more particularly in fishes after spawning, analogous to 
the moulting of birds after the breeding season. I am told 
that it is very evident in the herring. As yet I am not in 
a position to speak definitely, but the examination of sections 
of the skin in a fully grown herring certainly suggests such 
a possibility. ‘That a replacement should occur seems prob- 
able, for in such fish as the herring, in which the scales are 
so easily removed, it would be but a very natural provision. 
It might be urged that even should it be proved to occur, 
it would not entirely overthrow the view of age-index, since 
the new scales might begin with the same number of rings 
as that at which the older ones ceased, after the manner of 
the antlers in deer. Such a view appears to me improbable, 
but it can only be settled by accurate investigation. 
The conclusions arrived at in this paper turther establish 
the view of a true selachian ancestry for the Teleosteans, as 
well as affording indications of the affinities existing between 
the Teleostei themselves. On the other hand, I think it 
points in the direction of breaking down the separation of 
the Anacanthini as defined by Johannes Miiller, and of 
which other evidence is not entirely wanting. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY, 
1. Baupetor, 8.—** Recherches sur la Structure et le Développement des 
Ecailles des Poissons Osseux.” ‘Arch. de Zool. Expér. et Générale,’ 
t. ii, 1873, pp. 87-244 et 427-480. 
2. Boreius, PetRus.—‘ Observationum Microscopicarum Centuria,’ Hagoe 
comitis, 1656. 
3. CunnincHam, J. T.—“On the Peculiarities of Plaice from different 
Fishing Grounds.” ‘Journ. Marine Biolog. Assoc., N.S., vol. iv, pp. 
315-359. 
4, Dunker, G.—“ Variation und Verwandschaft von Pl. flesus (L.) und Pl. 
Platessa (L.) untersucht mittelst der Heincke schen Methode.”’ ‘ Wiss. 
Micros. untersuch. Neraus-gegeben von d. Komm. zur Wiss. untersuch, 
d, deutschen Meere in Kiel,’ Heft 2, 1896. (Vide Stead.) 
