:il 
PELAGIC OVA. 
Very few ova were captured this year in the surface and mid- 
water nets, at the excursions. 
June 27 — Holy Island Harbour 
„ 2!) — Alnmouth Bay ... 
July 4 — Blyth Bay 
July 25 — Alnmouth Bay ... 
Aag. 6 — Druridge Bay 
... Five-Bearded Rockling ... 8 
... no ova. 
... CaUionymus lyra ... ... 1 
Five-bearded llockling ... 1 
Common Dab ... ... 1 
CaUionymus lyra ... ... 1 
... Flounder ... ... ... 1 
At Cullercoats, principally in the harbour, the following ova 
were obtained : — 
May 22 — Cod 
,, 24 — Brill 
May 2b — Gurnard ... 
June 20— Dragonet ... 
July 14 — ,, 
Brill 
1 
... 8 (see last year’s report. I 
(in bottom net). 
... ... 1 (mid-water.) 
2 
1 
1 
The number of fish ova we obtain each year is thus liable to a 
great deal of variation. During certain of the seasons, we have 
obtained comparatively large numbers, and during others as this 
one very few. The reason is that the nets are used on the fringe of 
the large area in which the ova are placed, and the prevailing winds 
and other circumstances which would alter the currents determine 
the number of the ova which will arrive before hatching in our in- 
shore waters. 
A DEMERSAL OVUM. 
Mr. Hastings brought to me on the 27th March a small group 
of interesting demersal ova from 40 — 50 fathoms, 120 miles E.X.E. 
off the Tyne. They were placed in a cavity of a small stone. The 
ova measured on the average 1*87 mm. Each was enclosed in a 
thick (0-1125 mm.) very tough and strong capsule; the yolk sac 
was light orange yellow in colour ; there was a large oil globule 
(0-5 mm.) The contained embryo was pigmented with yellow and 
black chromatophorcs, the eyes being very deeply coloured with 
