212 



Appendices to Fourth Annual Report 



Amongst other forms examined with more or less attention were the 

 following : — 



Lump-SucTcer. — The adults were obtained both from the rocky borders 

 and from the local trawlers, and the masses of the eggs, which abound in 

 the spring months on the beach and among the rocks were developed in 

 the laboratory. This, however, was by no means an easy task if the eggs 

 had been newly deposited, since the imperfect aeration of the water in the 

 crevices of the intricate masses caused putrifaction in many cases. Suc- 

 cessful hatching was more readily accomplished if the eggs were procured 

 in an advanced condition. 



Pennant's observation as to the power of adhesion of this species was 

 repeated, and found to be accurate. No difficulty was experienced in 

 raising a pail of water, to the bottom of which the fish was adherent, 

 by grasping the animal by the tail. 



Short-Spined Coitus. — The eggs of this species were also somewhat 

 difficult to develop in the tanks, the length of time required in the pro- 

 cess likewise giving an opportunity for the decay of certain eggs and the 

 poisoning of the water. The young were more easily procured by obtain- 

 ing advanced ova from the beach. 



Montagues Sucker. — The eggs of this fish were described and figured 

 in the ' Annals of Natural History,' as well as mentioned in the last 

 Eeport. They were frequently obtained from the local trawlers during the 

 spring and summer. 



Fifteen- Spined Stickleback. — The nests of this species are not uncommon 

 in the rock-pools near high-water mark, and are easily kept in the labora- 

 tory. The development of this fish formed the subject of a special 

 investigation by Mr Prince, and a preliminary report was presented to 

 Section D, at the meeting of the British Association at Aberdeen. A 

 more detailed account, with figures, has also appeared in the ' Annals 

 of Natural History.'* 



Three-Spined Stichlehack. — Very young examples of this common species 

 were examined for comparison with other forms. 



Bih. — During the early summer numerous ripe females were obtained, 

 and the pelagic nature of the ova demonstrated, but no males appeared. 

 This species has a spawning-period which extendsover a considerable interval. 



Ling. — The eggs of the ling were procured in a ripe condition in May, 

 but unfortunately none of the specimens were healthy. 



Common Eel. — Ripe eggs of this form were found by Mr Prince in 

 June, and he thought they resembled pelagic forms. 



Skulpin and Floating Eggs. — The ova were found to reach 

 maturity in July and August. The pelagic eggs are small, resembling 

 in this respect those of the common dab, and have the investing coat 

 beautifully reticulated. An account of the ova was communicated to the 

 Meeting of the British Associationt at Aberdeen, and published in the 

 * Annals of Natural History. 'J The variations that exist in connection 

 with the habits of fishes producing pelagic eggs are interesting. Thus, 

 the flat-fishes (Pleuronectidce), which haunt the bottom universally, so far 

 as known, produce floating eggs, while the skates and rays, also frequent- 

 ing the bottom, have massive eggs that are deposited on the bottom, and 

 are protected by a tough leathery investment, Montagu's sucker- — the 

 Armed Bullhead, the Cat-fish,§ and the Skulpin — are likewise examples 



* Ann. Nat. Hist., Dec. 1885. f Section D. Sept. 1885. 



X Ann. Nat. Hist., Dec. 1885, p. 480. 



§ Mr Btook includes this species amongst those with floating eggs {vide * The 

 Spawning Period of the British Food Fishes, Fishery Board for Scotland). So far 

 as I have seen the massive thick- walled egg sinks. 



