S2 



III, p. 150.) The second kind resembles the eggs of the Sole 

 {Synaptnra pectoralis), which measure -81 to 72 mm. in 

 diameter and have several oil globules from i (rare) to 12 in 

 number, and varying in diameter from -15 to -04 mm. The 

 number of oil globules, however, is much less than is usual in 

 the egg of this Sole. 



The condition of the eggs showed that they had recently 

 been shed, the germinal disc having only a few divisions, and 

 as the\^ were taken at ebb tide, it may be concluded that the}^ 

 were shed from the parent fish in the river. 



These floating fish eggs are very small and transparent and 

 can with difficulty be seen by the naked eye, even when held 

 up to the light in a glass tube with water, and it is therefore 

 not to be expected that fishermen would be aware of their 

 presence in the river. 



Another kind of fish egg is, however, well known to the 

 fishermen, being of a large size, about ^ inch in diameter. This 

 is the egg of the " Bagger " {Galeichthys feliceps), a fish which 

 has a quite unique method of reproduction. The eggs are 

 frequently found in hauls of the net, and in the boats, in which 

 the fish have been placed. They are even got in bucketfuls 

 occasionally in the boat, and make excellent food for the fisher- 

 men's poultry. The fact that the eggs are found in the mouth 

 of the fish is a striking feature and a good deal of discussion 

 has taken place locally as to how they get there. The facts of 

 the case are that the eggs, when laid, are taken by the male 

 into his large mouth and kept there till they hatch out ; they 

 may be found there in all stages, from the simple egg to the 

 larvae with yolk sack still attached, and even well-developed 

 young fish, without yolk sac, find shelter for a time in this 

 paternal brood chamber. This being the only case of fish eggs 

 being found in the river by fishermen, it has been concluded 

 that other fish " spawn " may be of the same nature, but this 

 inference is incorrect. 



With regard to the next question, as to whether the eggs 

 of fish in the river are destroyed by netting, there does not seem 

 to be any possibility of this in the case of the minute eggs 

 described, and in the exceptional case of the Bagger, though 

 damage may be done, it is not of serious consequence, as the 

 fish is of little commercial value. 



The same holds good of the lar^•ie or young hatched from 

 these eggs. 



A more serious question is the alleged destruction of the 

 older but still immature fish. Here again the testimony of 

 fishermen is conflicting, and the experimental hauls already 

 referred to ma}- be taken as the only trustworthy e\'idence. 



