35 
Mr. E. W. L. Holt on the Ova 0/*Gobius. 
to 1*2 millim. The contour is somewhat pyriform and the 
narrow end (having a diameter from *42 to *48 millim.) is 
blunt and almost truncated. The larger end, on which the 
egg rests, is from *68 to ’74 millim. at its greatest width and 
tapers rapidly below that point to a small facet or pedicle of 
attachment. 
As seen in PL II. fig. 3, the shape of the egg is subject to 
slight variation. Of the egg-contents it is difficult to speak 
with certainty, as the treatment received may well have 
induced some changes. 
In those which appeared to be the best preserved the peri- 
vitelline space is large and is principally in the lower region 
of the egg. The yolk is bean-shaped, and the embryo, which 
is somewhat advanced though without free caudal growth, 
lies in the long axis of the egg. Yolk and embryo together 
have a long and short diameter of about *91 and *37 millim. 
respectively. Both are of course opaque, but it is possible to 
make out what appear to be very numerous oil-globules of 
various sizes, occurring all over the yolk and apparently 
forming the bulk of that structure. 
The zona radiata is very thin, showing under a high power 
the usual closely-set minute dots or punctures. 
The apparatus for the attachment of the egg is the most 
remarkable feature. From the facet or pedicle of attachment 
(fig. 1, p) springs a hyaline structure, which spreads outward 
in the form of an umbrella. Under a high power this struc- 
ture is seen to be pierced by alternate concentric rows of 
diamond-shaped or ovoid apertures (fig. 1, sp), which increase 
in size the further they lie from the pedicle, whilst, on the 
contrary, the proximal interstitial hyaline matter is more 
massive than that surrounding the more remote rows of 
apertures. Three or four such rows of apertures can be made 
out, beyond which the structure is continued in the form of a 
fringe of long and tapering threads, which adhere to the shell 
and to the threads of the adjacent ova (fig. The ova, 
though very closely packed together (fig. 2), do not adhere 
to each other or to anything except by means of this tissue. 
From the nature of the apertures the whole structure has 
the appearance of being composed of a number of threads, 
radiating from the pedicle and so arranged as to cross each 
other frequently in the proximal part of their course. But 
the closest examination under a high power (Zeiss D, Oc. 2) 
fails to support this appearance. The interstitial matter 
between the proximal rows of apertures is entirely homo- 
geneous and cannot be resolved into fibres either in stained 
or unstained specimens ; but between the larger distal aper- 
3 * 
