( 92 ) 



CHAP. X. 



The Eggs of /^Thorn-Back, 



late V HP HIS Fi(b, by what we may de- 

 Fig. 1 6. duce from an Obfervation of 



its Eggs, differs in the Propagation 

 of its Species from moft other Fifh. 

 For whereas the generality of them 

 are known to aflemble together in 

 Multitudes where the Females de- 

 pofit their Spawn, which inftantly 

 is impregnated by the Milt of the 

 Male without Copulation, the Eggs 

 of this Fifli on the contrary are in 

 all Probability impregnated before De- 

 position. The outward Shell is thin, 

 of a dark Brown, fomething trans- 

 parent, extreamly tough, and fhaped 

 as reprefented Plate V, Fig. 16. The 

 Contents are, as in all other Eggs, 

 firft the Albumina inverting the Yolk ; 

 next the Yolk itfelf, which differs in 

 nothing from that of others, but 

 Colour, this being White, as thofe 

 are Yellow, yet when hardened in 

 hot Water, it appears, as they do, 

 to confift of Globules, which are 

 fuppofed to be Veficulae containing 



the 



