388 THE FLOUNDER FAMILY. 



figured and described the eggs of two forms of sole, both of 

 which approached that of the British species in structure, 

 and one nearly in size. Prof. Marion procured the eggs off 

 Marseilles in February. Mr J. T. Cunningham ^ gives March, 

 April and May for the South. Ehrenbaum^ who furnishes an 

 excellent summary of our knowledge of the life-history of the 

 sole, gives May and June as the chief spawning months, more 

 rarely July. The egg is so characteristic that there can be no 

 doubt in regard to its identification (Plate IV, figs. 8 and 9). 

 The diameter ranges from ■04.5 inch to "O-Sl inch, or 1"143 to 

 1'295 mm. It is transparent and has a more or less complete 

 ring of minute oil-globules in groups, and of a yellowish white 

 colour from refraction of the light, for when viewed by trans- 

 mitted light they are faintl}' straw-coloured. Besides the ring, 

 a few small groups occur here and there at other parts. Under 

 a lens, indeed, the egg appears to be flecked with yellowish- 

 white pigment. When floating, the ring of oil-globules is 

 superior, as in other instances, the disc being inferior. The 

 large oil-globules have a diameter of '0015 inch, while the 

 smaller measure '0004 inch. The capsule is somewhat thick 

 and tough, so that considerable force is necessary to rupture 

 it ; occasionally it is slightly undulated. It is also very 

 distinctly punctured, even more so than in the egg of the 

 plaice. A curious abnormality occurred in one example, since 

 the surface of the capsule showed a series of flattened disc-like 

 processes so as to give it a rough or scabrous appearance. The 

 yolk presents on its surface a series of vesicles which project in 

 the early condition beyond the edge of the protoplasm (periblast) 

 round the disc, and at a later stage are seen round the greater 

 part of the yolk, except at the tail of the embryo. The 

 eggs develop with moderate rap)idity, so that those which 



^ This author appears to be unaware that in many of the sandy bays of the 

 east coast of Scotland the sole is not uncommon, if the proper means be taken 

 to secure it. Thus, for example, in former years one or two pairs of good soles 

 were often got in St Andrews Bay in trawling by night, and in the deeper water 

 beyond they are occasionally captured by the hook. Both eggs and adults have 

 been more frequently met with since about 500 from the northern coast of 

 England were placed in the Bay. 



- Op. cit. p. 307. 



