190 THE SUCKER FAMILY. 



are procured in the salmon stake-nets off rocky borders, the 

 young lump-suckers adhering to sea-weeds which are stranded 

 on the ropes ; while some are procured in the ordinary bottom- 

 nets. At 35 mm. the rows of hispid tubercles are more 

 pronounced than in the previous stage. The first five of the 

 third row are very large, the hardened distal region being 

 more or less conical with a pectinate crest of spines which have 

 a slight inclination backwards. Each hardened tubercle moves 

 freely on the softer skin around it. The most evident 

 change, however, which occurs at 31 or 32 mm., is the 

 appearance of minute spinous processes over the skin between 

 the larger rows of tubercles on the upper lateral regions, and 

 on the flattened surface behind the ventral sucker, as well as 

 all over the head, the only area apparently free from them 

 being the abdominal wall between the prominent third row and 

 the lateral ventral series, the tips and spines of which also 

 present a slight inclination backwards. The double row of 

 spinous tubercles behind the dorsal fin have increased in size, 

 making an efficient protection to the tip of the former when 

 adpressed ; and probably this is important, since the projecting 

 fin would otherwise be readily seized by a predaceous fish. 

 Three spinose tubercles occur on the lower edge of the oper- 

 cular region. In contrast with the smooth flattened tubercles 

 of the adult, therefore, the young lump-sucker is remarkably 

 well armed. 



On June 1st of the following season one was 62 mm. in 

 length. Others procured in July were 5 inches long (125 mm.), 

 5f , 6 and 6^ in. ; while one in December was 6^ inches long. 

 The latter was covered with Caligi, as if in an unhealthy 

 condition. 



THE COMMON SEA-SNAIL. (Cyclogaster liparis, Flem.) 



Of this form Day observes that Pennant found it full of roe 

 in January. The eggs are small and numerous, if anything of 

 less size than in Montagu's sucker. McCulloch, again, thought 

 that the spawn was deposited near the mouths of rivers, a view, 

 considering their abundance in such estuaries as the Thames, 



