13 
not find opaque ova — measuring 13, 14|, 144 and 15 inches. Some 
of the mature forms got in June were almost ripe, and when the 
ova were put into water they floated up. They were feeding on 
sand-eels and, latterly, whitings ; in one case Annelids were found. 
Soles (11 inches to 1H£ inches) were got mature, measuring 
12£ x 5 4, 15 x 61, 15 x 6£, 15£ * 6J, 16 x (>, 16 * 7, 17 x 7^, 
17£ x 8 and 18 x 8 inches, and immature 10^ x 44, 11 x 4, 
11£ x 44. and 114 x 5 inches. They were feeding on sand-eels 
and Annelids. 
Gurnards were found mature at 11, 114 and 12 inches, and all 
above these sizes were mature, and in the earlier part of the season 
especially were got full of spawn, and ripe. The ovaries wore used, 
as in the case of the turbot, to demonstrate to the company on the 
steamer the artificial fertilization of the ova, and the fact that they 
float. The ova, besides, were found at the same time in both surface 
and mid-water nets. They were feeding on sand-eels, Portunus 
holmtua and shrimps. 
Thornbacks, measuring across the pectorals — 
1!) inches, 14 inches (Skate Hoads) 
184 ., 12) ,, (Almnouth Bay) 
14| „ 154 ,, (Druridge Bay) 
were feeding on /'. holaatus. 
Anglers were feeding usually on weevers, hut in one instance a 
2-inch plaice was got, in another a 6-inch plaice, and in still another 
a 6-inch dab. 
The Codlings caught in Druridge Bay were both immature, and 
were feeding on sand-eels; one of them had also a dab, measuring 
4£ x 24 inches. 
PELAGIC EGGS. 
Last year two kinds of eggs were got in the surface net, those of 
the weever ( Trachinns ri/>era) and an unknown kind, which was said 
to he similar to the “F" form described by McIntosh and Prince. 
Mr. Holt now believes that he has proved the latter, as 
Prof. McIntosh had suggested, to be the egg of a topknot, viz., 
Midler s Topknot Phymorhomhns uninuienlatux (Risso). This form is 
very rare, but it no doubt occurs on this coast. Mr. Howse only 
mentions, and refers to this species, a small specimen got at 
Cullercoats in 1830 by Albany Hancock. It will be seen from the 
