CHAPTER Xri 



THE INFANCY OF FISHES 



The early stages in the life-history, even of our commonest 

 fishes, are enshroucjed in mystery, baffling the penetration 

 even of the most persistent and most curious among us. 

 Nevertheless, during recent years, a host of facts have 

 been gleaned which throw a flood of light not only on 

 the theme of the evolution of fishes, but also of the 

 higher groups of animals. 



Like the frogs and their kind, fishes are born into the 

 world in that premature, incomplete condition which we 

 know as " larvae," wherein they commonly bear not 

 the slightest likeness to their parents. Larvae, as we 

 have already remarked, result when the germ which forms 

 the essential part of the egg is provided with but a 

 limited amount of yolk. for its support and development : 

 hence the growing body to which the germ has given 

 rise, be it frog or fish or what not, so soon as it has ex- 

 hausted its portion of yolk, must at once set out to secure 

 food from its environment or die. 



Young fish, in short, are like young people — their early 

 life depends upon the resources of their parents. The 

 children of the well-to-do are provided with food, schooling 

 and pocket-money, so that they grow at ease, and are 

 not driven to the premature exercise of their limbs and 



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