178 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 39. 



The eggs are of ''the demersal type" and are ''deposited in large 

 masses by the female amongst the rocks and weed of the shallow 

 waters. Like most demersal types, they cling firmly together by 

 reason of a secretion extruded from the parent. They only adhere at 

 limited parts of the egg-capsule, so that aeration through the mass is 

 easily effected. Their deposition in large masses doubtless facilitates 

 their fertilization by the male. In size they closely approximate those 

 of the salmon; and indeed until quite recently," in spite of the 

 localities in which they are found, "they were commonly mistaken by 

 fishermen and others for those of the latter fish." The eggs are nearly 

 a quarter of an inch ("5.5 to 6 mm.," or even slightly more) in diam- 

 eter, "the largest marine demersal egg with which we are at present 

 acquainted," though much smaller than the eggs of certain marine 

 catfishes (Tachisurines) and fresh water Osteoglossids which the males 

 carry in their mouths. 



V. 



Eggs, probably deposited in December, were hatched near the end 

 of January, and the newly hatched larvae were nearly half an inch 

 ("12 mm.") long, "the largest British marine Telostean larva yet 

 described." These larvae were contrasted by M'Intosh and Master- 

 man with those of salmon of the same stage. The yolk and contained 

 oil-globule is of inconspicuous color and the yolk-sac spheroidal; 

 there is but one large oil-globule which is anterior in position; the 

 snout is very blunt and the eyes foremost; the marginal fin is con- 

 tinuous. 



Development proceeds rather slowly; in some the absorption of 

 the yolk may be delayed and "the larval period may thus continue 

 till the end of June," but in others "may terminate at the middle of 

 May." Thereafter it grows more rapidly. "In 6 or 7 months — for 

 example, in July — its length may be 6 inches, and the following Feb- 

 ruary," when about a year old, "from 8^ to 10 inches. In its second 

 year it may grow to a length of 18 or 20 inches." Maturity is prob- 

 ably attained during its third year, but growth may continue slowly 

 for years afterwards. 



Young less than an inch long (.75-.80) have been found from Feb- 

 ruary to May, "showing," according to M'Intosh (1890) "that the 

 escape of some of this species from, the egg must take place at the 

 beginning of the year. "On 11th July a specimen 6f in., 5th 

 August iinother 7f , and on the 27th of the same month, a third 8| 

 in. were obtained" and noticed by M'Intosh (1886). These undoubt- 

 edly were of the first year's growth. Those from 14 to 18 mches long, 

 caught in summer, are fishes of the second year's growth. During 

 the third year the length of 2 feet or more may be reached and sexual 

 maturity attained. Growth, however, may not cease for years, and 



