of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



231 



1894, considerably extends the spawning-period. It was procured at 

 low water near the pier-rocks at St Andrews, attached to the root of a 

 tangle. The eggs measured from 1*7526 mm. (-0705 inch) to 1*9050 mm. 

 (•075 in.), showing that the ovarian examples, mentioned in the 

 1 Researches,' as indeed had often been observed, were nearly ripe. 

 Each egg at this date (1st October) had a large oil-globule and an 

 advanced embryo. The circulation was in active operation on the 

 27th November, the exterior of the egg being further coated with 

 many parasites. In January and February 1895, the eggs were frozen, 

 and they remained so nearly a month, yet, on the 2d March, some of 

 the embryos were alive, and, though the water could not be changed, 

 as the pumping apparatus was under repair, were safely hatched. The 

 remarkable hardihood of such eggs is in contrast with the pelagic ova, 

 which, as a rule, would have been killed. 



The egg-capsule is very tough, and rebounds from the needle under pres- 

 sure like a ball of india-rubber. Under a low power the torn edge shows 

 layer upon layer of the secretion. It is thus difficult to extrude a perfect 

 embryo. 



The larvae immediately after hatching closely correspond with that 

 captured in the bay, and figured by Prof. Prince ' (Researches/ PL 

 XVIII., fig. 11). The body is about 7 mm. long, the tail being somewhat 

 longer than in the sketch, and has embryonic fin-rays. The head has 

 large silvery eyes, with greenish yellow pigment behind them, and around 

 and below the widely-open month. The trunk, generally, is dotted over 

 with the same greenish-yellow pigment (ochreous by transmitted light), 

 which is also present in streaks on the basal region of the pectoral fins, 

 on the yolk-sac, and on the prominent anal cone. The three dorsal patches 

 in the marginal fin are distinctly separated, the first being small, and 

 nearly in a line running upward from the posterior border of the vent ; 

 the second about the widest part of the fin, and the third about the 

 posterior region of the same dilatation. Opposite the two latter is a 

 corresponding patch ventrally. A similar touch of yellow occurs at the 

 commencement of the tail. Numerous stellate black pigment-spots are 

 present on the yolk-sac, a few on the pectoral, and a series along the 

 dorsal and ventral margins of the body as far as the third patch of yellow 

 on the marginal fin. One or two occur on the border of the marginal 

 fin, and a considerable number in the ventral patch of yellow (second) 

 in the latter, while only a very few are found in the dorsal patch 

 opposite it. Two exist in the ventral touch behind the former and 

 only traces in the dorsal patch opposite. One or two chromatophores 

 also occur ventrally in the patch at the root of the tail. The black 

 pigment would seem to be better developed ventrally than dorsally. 



In connection with the appearance of eggs at this period it may be 

 mentioned that on the 10th October a larval form resembling Cottus was 

 captured in the tow-net. In general outline it resembled that figured 

 in the i Researches ' (somewhat younger than in fig. 9, PI. XVI.), with the 

 vessels coursing over the yolk-sac. The oil-globule remained at the 

 anterior part of the yolk-sac. Small specks of black pigment occurred 

 along the sides of the body, one set forming a row near the upper lateral 

 region. No distinct coloration was visible on the pectorals. The eyes 

 were iridescent-greenish, like the inner surface of Haliotis. 



Hitherto it has been unusual to get larvae at this season of the year, so 

 that the deposition of such eggs must have been ante-dated by some 

 months on this occasion — if the interpretation of the nature of the larvae 

 be correct. 



