499 
B ibliograph ical Notices . 
He next describes the ova of SoJea variegata , which measure 1*28 to 
1-36 millim. in diameter, and differ from those of the common sole 
in having oil-globules of considerable size scattered separately over 
the yolk ; but the ova of Solea lutea, which are similar though 
smaller (those measured by Mr. Holt being *78 to *84 millim.), have 
apparently not been captured near Plymouth, where young speci- 
mens are “ fairly common.” 
In Part III. the geographical distribution of the soles and their 
habits are considered. He speaks of the sole as rarely, if ever, cap- 
tured by any other instrument than the trawl ; but, like the plaice, 
it can be captured by the hook with suitable bait — some of the finest 
examples at St. Andrews being procured in this way. His remarks 
on the food of the sole are interesting and only require the addition 
that the lobworm is a prominent feature in its dietary. 
In Chapter IV. an account of the breeding of the sole is given, 
and he is probably right that under certain conditions, as in the 
flounder and plaice, a large part of the ovary ripens its contents 
simultaneously. The spawning-period is lengthened — those in the 
south, according to the author, spawning in February, March, and 
April, while in Scotland the period ranges from May to August. 
The small size of the testes of the male is remarkable, and the state- 
ment quoted from Nordman that a species of sole adhered during 
copulation is noteworthy. With the exception of the experiments 
in the spring of 1890, as stated in the postscript, the hatching of 
the soles at Plymouth was difficult. 
The author is of opinion that soles spawned in March have com- 
pleted their metamorphosis by the middle of May, when they are | 
to inch long, and that on May 31st they are | inch, and that in 
one year they grow about 5 inches in length. Those 6J to 9| inches 
are just over two years. He thinks that soles 14 inches long are four 
years old, and those 20 inches long about six years. His diagnosis 
in regard to the first year is, however, uncertain. 
Part IV. is devoted to what is called Economical subjects, and in 
this part considerable condensation might have been effected. In 
artificial fertilization the author crushed the testes, as indeed is the 
common plan with the gurnard and others at St. Andrews, and 
which Dr. Wilson found equally satisfactory in the mussel. An 
ingenious apparatus, slightly differing from Captain Chester’s, of the 
United-States Fish Commission, is figured and explained by the 
author. Experience elsewhere shows that success can be obtained 
with open vessels, and the more simple such apparatus is the better. 
He is of opinion that a railway journey jolts and mechanically injures 
the pelagic eggs ; but this may be exceptional, since in 1881, arid 
often since, ova fertilized far out at sea have afterwards been safely 
sent by railway from distant places, such as Aberdeen or Macduff, 
to St. Andrews. 
The author thinks that the sole-fishery is declining, and some 
pungent remarks are made in regard to fishery statistics which were 
only lately put on a proper footing — thanks to the late Lord Dal- 
housie’s Commission. He rightly suggests the desirability of fertil- 
