528 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
the end of August, when the larva is between 8 1 / a and 
9 mm. long, the embryonic vertical fin is still almost 
continuous (fig. 124), only the hind extremity of the 
notochord projecting obliquely upwards in the form of 
a boundary between the eventual upper and lower parts 
of the fin. The most remarkable peculiarity lies, how- 
ever, in the situation and form of the ventral fins. 
<1 p 
Fig. 124. Larva of Molna molva,, about 5 times the natural size. 
After M’Intosh and Prince, p, the pectoral fin; v, the ventral fin; 
cl, the dorso-caudal fin; c, the ano-caudal fin. 
These fins are inserted behind the perpendicular from 
the insertion of the minute pectoral fins, and their 
length is nearly half that of the body, but they con- 
tain only four rays. No barbel can be detected under 
the chin. The irregular transverse spots, formed by 
scattered pigment-cells, remind us of the more distinct- 
in a line with the middle of the eye straight back round 
to the base of the caudal fin-rays. The pale ventral 
surface bounds it inferiorly, while dorsa-lly a stripe with 
a beautiful opaline lustre runs from the tip of the snout- 
over the eye backward to the base of the caudal rays. 
The latter band is opaque white on the tail, and it 
gives the fish a characteristic appearance. The dorsal 
line from the brain backward is distinguished by a 
Fig. 127. Young specimen of Molua molva. Natural size. 
After M’Intosh. 
narrow edge of dull orange or pale olive, and tins brings 
out in relief the colours formerly mentioned.” Both 
the dorsal fins display the black spot at the end. At 
a length of from 19 to 23 cm. at which period the fish 
is met with on rocky shores, its appearance is entirely 
changed (fig. 127). It is then marked with transverse 
spots of brown, both on the sides and on the back, 
p 
Fig. 125. Older larva of Molua molva, about 5 times the natural size. After M’Intosh and Prince, p, the pectoral fin; v, the ventral fin. 
transverse bands in the larval of the Cod. In a spe- 
cimen 20 mm. long (fig. 125), taken at the same time 
of year, the barbel has begun to develop, and all the 
vertical fins are separated from each other; but the 
relative length of the ventral fins has only slightly de- 
creased, and their insertion is still behind that of the 
Fig. 126. Young specimen of Molua molva. Natural size. 
After M’Intosh. 
pectoral fins. These changes of growth proceed from 
this point according to the rules laid down above, but 
a greater interest is attached to the subsequent changes 
of colour in the young Ling. At a length of 9 cm. 
(fig. 126) the body is marked with longitudinal stripes: 
“an olive-brown band passes from the tip of the snout 
the latter spots extending out over the basal part of 
the second dorsal fin; and the opalescent stripe of the 
preceding stage appears as a dentated band between 
the two rows of spots. The coloration Avas entirely 
different in two fresh specimens, respectively 40 and 
50 cm. in length, Avhich in November, 1889, Avere for- 
Avarded to the Royal Museum from Stromstad by Mr. 
C. A. Hansson. The smaller of these tAvo specimens 
is the original of our figure (Plate XXVI, fig. 2). The 
ground-colour of the body is iioav reddish broAvn above 
and milk-Avhite beloAV. The orange or pale olive colour 
of the dorsal line in the fry has iioav extended over 
both the dorsal fins, which are edged Avith yellowish 
Avhite, and each furnished Avit-h a black spot behind. 
This spot is more or less distinctly continued in a for- 
Avard direction along the margin of the fin, beloAV the 
Avhite edge, lay a dark band, Avhich is either uninter- 
