On the Oviposition in Phyllomedusa Iheringii. 461 



is unequivocally arrived at — that the Teleostei embryologi- 

 cally, as also morphologically, are a highly specialized group, 

 and are too far removed from the primitive or protichthyoid 

 type to yield much material for broad generalizations. At- 

 tempts in that direction can hardly in any great degree prove 

 fruitful, and must often be misleading. Abbreviation and 

 the intrusion of secondary, and even tertiary, modifications 

 have been so extensive that the conclusions yielded by Tele- 

 ostean embryology can never have the interest or application 

 which Selachian development possesses. But though the 

 Teleostei, from great speciali^jation, reveal a striking contrast 

 when compared with such a group as the Elasmobranchs, 

 yet investigations into their development, in which our know- 

 ledge is so fragmentary, are of great importance from many 

 points of view, and have, it cannot be denied, an eminently 

 practical bearing. The imperfect state of our knowledge 

 regarding the early history and conditions of development of 

 our important food-fishes is happily not likely to exist much 

 longer. That the embryology of these forms is being 

 actively pursued by many investigators is an encouraging 

 and promising sign. Of hardly less importance is the study 

 of those smaller forms upon which the food-fishes are to no 

 small extent dependent for nutriment. 



The writer, in conclusion, desires to warmly acknowledge 

 his obligations to Prof. M'lntosh, whose great experience 

 and kind advice are so freely available to those who carry on 

 researches in the Marine Laboratory at St. Andrews. He 

 desires to express his obligations for the use of the scieatific 

 section of the University library, for the use of the Caldwell 

 microtome belonging to the University, and for memoirs and 

 accessories in the zoological laboratory at the United College in 

 the University of St. Andrews. Finally, he is under obliga- 

 tions to Prof. Cleland, of Glasgow, and Dr. Hans Gadow, of 

 Cambridge, for suggestions, of which he purposes to avail 

 himself more fully in a later (future) paper, when the prepa- 

 rations, only partially dealt with in this abstract through 

 exigencies of space and time, will be treated more completely. 



XLIII. — On the Oviposition in Phyllomedusa Iheringii. 

 By Dr. H. VON Ihering, Rio Grande, Brazil. 



Until this year, my attempts to discover the mode of repro- 

 duction of Phyllomedusa Iheringii had failed. I found the 

 frog in numbers during the breeding-season, but could detect 

 no spawn in the water near which they congregated. I have 



