THE HATCHINa OF OVA. 87 



than the egg it has just emerged from. This bladder 

 is distended with a clear gum-Hke liquid. Up 

 towards the throat are a collection of those oily 

 glohules before noticed, when in the egg state, just 

 over them. Stay; can that little red spot he the 

 heart? As I live, it is; and those thin filament- 

 like cords, extending from and branching ofi" towards 

 the end of the bladder, are the veins. Now the red 

 heart pulsates ; and the injected blood rushes, with 

 quick, steady action, through every vein — its progress 

 being distinct, even without the aid of the micro- 

 scope, and as traceable as in an anatomical prepara- 

 tion. Second by second the pulsations continue — 

 But the animal is uneasy, and kicks and wriggles 

 again. Place it carefully back in its trough. There, 

 it darts to the bottom, ensconces itself between two 

 stones of gravel, and lies prone on its side. In a few 

 days you will be able to distinguish the rapid and 

 unceasing beating of its little fan-like pectoral fins. 

 But now glance over the trough, and haply you will 

 find three or four more red spots, indicating an in- 

 crease in your registry of births. Here and there you 

 win, perhaps, see eyes very distinctly. Look closer. 

 They protrude from the shell; and this is how the 

 fish hatches out. Now the head is thrust out, and 

 the eyes stare forth at the wonderful world they are 



