356 



PHIL(JSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY 



DELETius States the number in the squalus acanthias at six ; 

 other observers have found in other species 26 and even 

 30. But the number of eggs in other kinds of oviparous 

 fish exceeds ahnost our powers of reckoning *. 



There is no regular proportion between the weight of 

 the fish and the weight or number of eggs produced. Nor 

 is there any estimated proportion between the number of 

 eggs deposited, and the number of fish which arrive at ma- 

 turity. The eggs are eagerly sought after by other fishes, 

 by aquatic birds and reptiles. In the young state, they 

 are pursued by their own species, as well as by beings be- 

 longing to other classes. 



The season in which fish deposit their eggs varies ac- 

 cording to the species, and even the habit of the individu- 

 al. It is well known, that among salmon, even in the same 

 river, a difference of some months is observable, and we 

 believe that the same remark is applicable to all other kinds 

 of fish. In general, before spawning, fish forsake the deep 

 water, and approach the shore, that the roe, being placed 



* The following Table may convey to the general reader some idea of 

 their prolific powers, as extracted from Harmer's Remarks on the Fecundity 

 of Fish, Phil. Trans. 1767, p. 280. 



