220 THE BLENNY FAMILY. 



the latter increases till at Ij inches there is no trace of the yolk- 

 sac but the stomach forms a conspicuous protrusion in the abdo- 

 minal region. The ventral fins are then evident under the 

 throat ; they are really present at the earlier stage (f inch) but 

 are hidden by the large yolk-sac behind them. 



Whilst still in the ovary of the parent, small dark pigment- 

 spots (brown in spirit) make their appearance and they are 

 scattered on the dorsal surface of the head and trunk, at a 

 length of 1 inch ; later they increase greatly in number 

 especially on the back and sides of the trunk, and, in the 

 largest, If inches (45 mm.), they have become definitely arranged. 

 Numerous spots gathered into blotches cover the head and 

 dorsal surface, being continued as a more or less distinct wavy 

 line on each side of the median fin, whilst immediately below 

 the lateral line is a series of large brown blotches with a 

 tendency to be connected into a similar lateral wavy line on 

 each side. The ventral surface appears to be almost devoid of 

 pigment. Considering that all these young forms have been 

 obtained by excision from the ovary of the parent, this presence 

 and methodical arrangement of the pigment are noteworthy. 

 The foregoing were all taken during the months of September, 

 October, and November. 



In January, young blennies three days old and reaching 

 2 inches in length were caught. The median dorsal fin has 

 now a distinct indentation near its posterior end separating 

 the caudal fin from the dorsal. The ventral fins have moved 

 forward, lying somewhat more in front of the pectorals. 

 Another specimen one week old, on January 10th, is no 

 longer, but shows an advance especially in the pigmentation. 

 The pigment-blotches united in a wavy series below the 

 lateral line, and forming a succession of small curves with 

 the concave side uppermost, are now completed above the 

 lateral line by complementary blotches in the shape of 

 curves with the concave side downwards, so that, following 

 the lateral line, a broad chain of colour, the links of 

 which are formed by rings of brown pigment, make a very 

 striking pattern on each side of the little fish. The wavy 

 lines formerly described as coursing along on either side of 



