Goldfish eggs are slightly heavier than water and are not adherent to one another, so that 

 when they are expelled they settle on the roots or water plants that constitute the spawning bed 

 and cover them more or less evenly. Their surface being sticky, the eggs have a tendency to remain 

 where they first settle, and as the mucilaginous material quickly hardens in water the eggs are 

 securely held in a position most favorable for thorough aeration while hatching. 



GOLDFISH SPAWNING ON WILLOW ROOTS IN A MUD POND 



58 



