of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



257 



at Station III., three eggs of the solenette occur. At this place, eight 

 eggs of the poor-cod, and one of the whiting, also appear. The gurnard, 

 turbot, dab, dragonet, and weever, are present, but in very small quan- 

 tities. 



The small numbers, together with the occurrence of forms not found in 

 1895 in the earlier part of August, leads one to the conclusion given 

 above, viz., that for almost, if not all, these eggs should be considered as 

 coming from fish whose spawning time had been delayed owing to some 

 cause. 



Post-Larval and Young Fishes. 



These are greater in number, variety, and interest, than the eggs. As 

 in former years, at this season, the most common forms are the clupeoids 

 and gobies. On 25th August, at Station VII., 73 clupeoids were taken, 

 and 33 gobies, while at Station VIII., on same day, 52 gobies. The 

 clupeoids vary in size from 5 to 24 mm. Two sets could be distinguished 

 sometimes — the one ranging from 5 to 12 mm., the other from 13 mm. 

 onward. Similarly, the gobies could be divided into two sets. Pleuro- 

 nectids were almost as common as the two forms mentioned. Of these, 

 the lemon dab could be distinguished by its markings at all stages, but 

 there were other pleuronectids that could not be detected because the 

 markings were not sufficiently pronounced to enable one to state posi- 

 tively. They were all sinistral pleuronectids — the metamorphosis taking 

 place from left to right — and may have been plaice, witch, pole dab, or 

 long rough dab. The gurnard occurs very frequently, and varies in size 

 from 5 to 10 mm. One might have expected a greater variation, seeing 

 that the spawning period extends over several months. Callionymi, rock- 

 lings, Montagu's suckers, and sand-eels, were got in one or two places, as 

 in former years. 



In 1894, armed bullheads and weevers were found in October, but 

 neither of these appeared amongst last year's or this year's forms. Five 

 young Syngnathi act were recorded for 1894 ; this year only one occurred 

 at Station III., on 22nd September, and none were got last year. Cat- 

 toids are seemingly very scarce. This year only 2, last year 1, and in 

 1894 only 4 are recorded. A single whiting of 5 '4 cm. occurred at 

 Station Y. this year. None are recorded for previous years. One or two 

 rare forms occur. Crystallogobius, met with on the Clyde, was got at two 

 stations — VI. and IX. This form, being very symmetrical as regards 

 figure and markings, is easily recognisable. The pectoral fins stand out 

 well from the body, the basis of attachment being narrow. The dorsal 

 fin is continuous along the back, with one or two rows of light brown 

 pigment specks on each side. The body is narrowest where it joins on to 

 the head, and there thus seems to be a neck from which the pectoral fins 

 stand out like a ruff, when viewed from above. 



Another peculiar form occurs — Lepadogaster bimaculatus — the eggs 

 and young of which were described by Professor MTntosh in Scottish 

 Fishery Board Reports for 1895. Dr M'Intosh says that this fish is 

 rather more characteristic of the southern and western than the eastern 

 shores. It is got at different stages, however, in St Andrews Bay, its 

 eggs being deposited towards the end of June, in July, and August, and 

 the young forms are got in the tow-nets from September onwards. In 

 last year's Report it is mentioned as occurring twice in Moray Firth, 

 and this year it occurs six times, varying in size from 7*5 to 9 mm. Its 

 flat head, prominent eyes, and the three or four irregular rows of brown 

 pigment splotches along the body distinguish it from other forms. 



Another peculiar form, not occurring last year or the year before, is the 

 R 



