  We present the results of colour-selection of candidate high redshift (2.6
$<$ z $<$ 3.9) galaxies within the Hubble Deep Field based on the Ly-break at
912\AA . We find 8 such objects in the region, giving a comoving number density
comparable to that of nearby bright galaxies (for a flat q$_0$=0.5, H$_0$=100
kms$^{-1}$Mpc$^{-1}$ universe). We provide basic data on the properties of
these objects, and show that despite their absolute magnitude being
significantly brighter than L$^*$ (typically M$_B$ = -22), they are generally
smaller than nearby galaxies. Furthermore, visual inspection of their images
shows that they are all highly disturbed systems, with multiple nuclei, tails
and plumes, suggesting that they are undergoing merging processes similar to
most nearby starburst galaxies. Theoretical models suggest that galaxies form
by accumulation of numerous subcomponents, and we suggest that we are seeing
this process underway in these objects. It is thus possible that the epoch of
galaxy formation might have been discovered.
