On the Occurrence of the Pelagic Ova of the Anchovy off Lytham

Abstract

HITHERTO no free eggs of this species have been procured in Britain, though Mr. Jackson found ripe females off Southport in June 1878. Day observes, in the “Brit. Fishes,” that the anchovy spawn off our coasts in September and December; though in June specimens have been found with enlarged ova, and so tender that they burst on the slightest interference. On June 26 last, however, Mr. R. L. Ascroft, of Lytham, obtained certain ova in the tow-nets used off Lytham Pier, which he courteously sent for examination in a solution of formalin. These eggs agree in all respects with the descriptions and figures of Hoffman, Wenckebach, and Raffaele, though somewhat larger.