6 
Transactions of the Boyal Society of South Africa. 
Kalk Bay. Most of these had the ovaries well developed, and in a few the 
eggs were fully ripe. As in the case of the European Atherina the Cape fish 
has relatively large eggs — 1*48 mm. in diameter. Many oil-globules are 
present, from '099 to '008 mm. in diameter. The yolk is clear and homo- 
geneous. The filaments vary in number and are often very long ; one 
measured was as much as 13 mm. in length. They are much coiled on 
themselves, and it was difiicult to see their distal ends, which in some cases 
were closely adherent to the surface of the yolk itself. 
GrADIDAE. 
Merluccius capensis, Pappe. (PI. I, figs. 10, 11 ; PL I, figs. 12, 13.) 
The eggs of this fish have been recorded from a mature female, and 
measured '97 to '93 mm., with an oil-globule of •25 mm. ('Mar. Biol. Rep.,' 
no. iii, p. 14). Somewhat similar eggs, but of a decidedly larger size, have 
been procured in tow-nettings in Table Bay. They were 1*35 to 1*26 mm. in 
diameter, and had an oil-globule of "28 to "24 mm. in diameter. In view of 
the approximate similarity and the characteristics of the larva hatched from 
the eggs, they are provisionally regarded as those of the stockfish (M.capensis). 
In the early stages of development the embryo and oil-globule are very 
clear, in contrast to later stages, in which a dense network of black pigment 
spreads over these parts, and also, but to a less extent, the yolk. The yolk 
appears to be slightly vesiculated near the margin, more especially towards 
the head. The density of the pigment, however, varies much with the light, 
as shown in fig. 10 and fig. 11. The first shows the appearance under the 
microscope when first seen, but when the transmitted light has acted on it 
for a time the chromatophores contract, and the whole assumes a much more 
transparent aspect. 
In the larva the whole body is covered with a dense network of black, 
branching pigment-cells, with the exception of a spot between the otocyst 
and eye, which is free of pigment, and the extreme end of the tail, where 
also pigment is absent. On the yolk near the body and at other isolated 
places on the yolk are pigment-cells, and the oil-globule is densely covered 
with such cells. The branchings of the pigment-cells encroach on the fins, 
and at the rectum there is a dense mass of pigment. The rectum is median 
in position, and in the early stages the large yolk projects in front of the 
snout. The oil-globule is postero-ventral in position. Dorsal and ventral 
fins are fairly deep, and the former commences in the early stages over 
the head. 
On the second day the dorsal and anal fins have narrowed considerably, 
the broadest part being somewhat posterior to the anus. The yolk has 
diminished in size, and there is more pigment on it. The length of the 
larva has increased from 3*3 mm. to 3"36 mm. 
