2/8 MARKETABLE BRITISH MARINE FISHES 



they were not fertilised, but measured "96 mm. in diameter when 

 preserved. The yolk is simple and transparent and contains a 

 small yellowish oil-globule. 



A ripe specimen of the smallest species, norvegiciis, was 

 obtained at a depth of 25 fathoms, near the Eddystone, in 

 March, 1892. It was 3^ inches long. The eggs were -9 mm. in 

 diameter (iVcr inch) and contained a single oil-globule. 



Certain remarkable larval and transforming specimens were 

 taken in the Irish Survey, off the coast of Donegal, at depths 

 between 14 and 22 fathoms, in May, 1891. They ranged in 

 length from 5 "8 to iO'6 mm. (from a little less than \ inch to a 

 little more than f inch). The appearance of the largest specimen 

 as seen after being preserved in spirit, and then made transparent, 

 is shown in Fig. 129. The chief peculiarity is the presence of two 

 sharp long spines projecting outwards from the region of the 

 ear ; these are not easily seen when the fish is seen from the 

 side, but their appearance when it is viewed from the edge is 

 seen in Fig. 130. Two specimens of this same larva were taken 

 at Plymouth in May, and brought alive to the laboratory ; they 

 were captured by hand in a tide-pool at the breakwater. From 

 the number of the fin-rays and appearance of a specimen in a 

 more advanced stage of transformation than that figured, there 

 can be little doubt that these specimens are the larvae of the 

 largest top-knot, Zeiigoptei'us piinctatus. Other similar specimens 

 of smaller size and without the spines have been described, and 

 probably belong to the one-spotted top-knot. 



