14 



which time the young fish buries himself under stones, and 

 most carefully conceals himself from his numerous enemies. 

 In my hatching boxes, although they contain hundreds of 

 young fish, but very few are to be seen. The eye is the first 

 organ developed, and can be seen in the ova, and shows a 

 beautiful provision of nature to provide thus early for the 

 safety of the fish. The young fish feeds on the contents of 

 the umbilical vessel until old enough to shift for himself, 

 and by the time this has disappeared he is a most active 

 little fellow and by no means an easy object to catch. 



At the close a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. 

 Dowker for his able illustration of the subject. 



