DECEMBER, 1882. 257 



hundred and fifty days no sign of any youngster was 

 visible. We were aware that young skates frequently 

 make their appearance on the east coast with the sac 

 still attached, evidently as tired of waiting inside 

 as we were of watching outside ; so in order to 

 note exactly when the sac was absorbed, we decided 

 to open our remaining skate egg on the 15 3d 

 day, and see what stage of progress had been reached. 

 The result although most interesting, has on the whole 

 proved unfortunate, as we ought to have displayed still 

 more patience after having waited so long. After 153 

 days, the youngster was not quite mature, having a 

 considerable sac still to come and go on ; but it was in 

 vigorous health, three and a half inches in length, and 

 two broad across the wings. He was now tumbled into 

 a basin of water, where he seemed quite at home, 

 occasionally floundering around, but for the most part 

 remaining quiescent and receptive. In order to prevent 

 the light being too strong we covered over a portion of 

 the basin with brown paper, and here the little fellow 

 lived for three weeks longer, slowly engaged in absorbing 

 what remained of the sac, and apparently quite satisfied 

 with his position in life. By this time he had reached 

 the age of 174 days since the deposition of the egg, and 

 yet it should be well noted that he had still some weeks 

 of existence before him ere he could have absorbed his 

 patrimony, and be said to exist as a breadearner on his 

 own account. By some means his sac got a twist at this 

 time, causing him great uneasiness, and forcing him to 

 lift one wing back as if relieving the sac of undue 

 pressure; and the following day, at the age of 175 days 

 a few days under six months he entered his only 



