258 Prof. M'Intosli's Notes from the 



in the gurnard ; but, so far as observed in 1884, there was no 

 reason to doubt that the oil-globules followed the same move- 

 ments as in other forms. In the developing embryo the oil- 

 globules coalesce, so that but a single large globule remains. 

 In the tanks of the laboratory the eggs are readily eaten by 

 other sjiecimens of the same species. 



The development of this form is somewhat slow, especially 

 in cold seasons, so that masses of eggs with advanced embryos 

 are often found in April, and even in May. Mr. Holt found 

 the larval fishes on emerging from the egg 7*5 millim. in 

 length, and this accords with our own e:>'perience. The yolk 

 forms a coni]:)aratively small prominence ventrally, and the 

 large oil-globule lies at its front interiorly. " The head is 

 large and broad ; the profile of the snout abrupt ; the eyes 

 ]a3ge and fully pigmented ; and the ear-capsules, of about 

 the same size as the eyes, lie close behind them. The mouth 

 is open, but the lower jaw is at first immovable " *. The 

 internal organs are well developed. The tail in May shows 

 only embryonic rays. The breast-fins are large and fan- 

 shaped. 1"he heart and blood-vessels are in full activity, the 

 returning blood streaming over the yolk, and finally entering 

 the heart. 



The coloration consists of a series of distinct black chroma- 

 tophores over the head and a few about the base of the breast- 

 fin. 1 hey form a broad band on each side of the abdomen 

 over the yolk, and extend from the breast- fins to the vent. 

 " Pigment of a bright yellow colour by reflected, and orange 

 by transmitted, light occurs also at the base of the breast- 

 fins, on the top of the head, and on the abdominal roof." 

 The eyes are black, Avith a metallic lustre. " In the post- 

 anal region the only ])igment is a ventral line of black 

 chromatophores, sometimes very small or absent in the ante- 

 rior region, and ceasing before reaching the tail." 



On the lOtli October on one occasion a larval form re- 

 scnibling a sea-scorpion was captured in the tow-net. In 

 general outline it resembled that figured in the ' Kesearches,' 

 with the vessels coursing over the yolk-sac. The oil-globule 

 remained at the anterior part of the yolk-sac. Small sjiecks 

 ot black pigment occurred along the sides of the body, one 

 set forming a row near the upper-lateral region. No distinct 

 coloration was visible on the pectorals. The eyes were 

 iridescent greenish, like the inner surface of Ilaliotis. 



Hitherto it has been unusual to get larva? at this season of 

 the year, so that the deposition of such eggs must have been 

 antedated by some months on this occasion, if the interpre- 

 tation of the nature of the larva be correct. 



* E. AA'. I>. Holt, Sc. Trans. Eoj. Dubl. Soc. v. 2, p. 21 kc. 



