The Ovary of Felichthys Felis, the Gaff-topsail Catfish. 121 
grams and measured 83 by 105 mm.; so here again we find no gap in 
the series. In the present table the extremes in weight are from 31.1 
to 101.6 grams, with an average of 62.8; in volume from 30 to 80 E02, 
with the average (for 4) 53.3 c.c.; the lengths from 80 to 103, average 
92 mm.; while the figures for the circumference run from 105 to 150, 
averaging (6) 122.7 mm. 
HALF RIPE OR NEARLY RIPE OVARIES. 
There is now to be considered a small group of half-ripe ovaries, 
judged to be in this condition because they contain eggs approaching 
ripeness and because no empty follicles are found in them. They are 
7 in number, and all but 2 were dissected as to one or both ovisacs 
when taken from the fish; hence not all dimensions and volumes can 
be given. The average weight is about the same as that of the larger- 
sized spent ovaries, but the average volume, length, and girth of 
present lot are much greater, on account of the difference in the 
contents of the two sets of organs. The volumetric measurements 
are given for two ovaries only. In the case of No. 3, the large measure- 
ments are explained by the presence of the 40 eggs of 15 mm. diameter, 
and for No. 7 by 25 eggs of about 13 mm. The average size of the 
next year’s eggs is about 4.4 mm., and for the unripe eggs of the present 
year about 14.7 mm. 
TaBLE 4.—Half-ripe, or nearly ripe ovaries. 
No. | Weight. | Volume. | Length. | Girth. Remarks. 
eS Oe eee 
1 SOGOW [Pee eee SO: yt) [sir Small eggs to 2.5 mm., adult eggs to 14 mm. 
2 SOS, alcrcetocteises 3 TS bn hell onedu eee Small eggs to 4 mm., adult eggs to 10 mm. 
3 53 155 103 Small eggs to 7 mm., 40 adult eggs to 15 mm. 
4 BO. Se Sa er as eee Small eggs to 5 mm., adult eggs to 8 mm. 
5 (CEC: I PR eee 83) ikeeerack Small eggs to 4 mm., adult eggs to 10 mm. 
6 Slee lees Ua | ere Small eggs to 3 mm., adult eggs to 17 mm. 
7 109.2 90 107 Ovary crowded with 25 eggs 11 to 13 mm. diam. 
Pee eg a a a dy Te 
Ave.| 62.3 22 88.5 168.5] Small eggs about 4.4 mm., adult eggs 11 to 13 
mm. diam. 
It is interesting to note that in these ovaries there are found in the 
strictly ovigerous section two kinds of eggs: the large dark-yellow eggs 
nearing ripeness (from 8 to 17 mm. in diameter) and standing on long 
pedicels, while beneath, on short pedicels sitting close to the germinal 
epithelium, are the smaller straw-colored eggs of next year’s crop. 
These average from 2.5 to 4 mm. in diameter. In that portion of 
each sac approaching the plicated folds of the oviduct the eggs are all 
small, rarely reaching a diameter greater than 2 mm., even in the most 
advanced organs. For such an organ, see D, figure 8, plate 4. 
RIPE OVARIES. 
Table 5 deals with ovaries containing ripe eggs, within a few days 
of extrusion, both eggs and ovaries attaining a size out of all expec- 
