CA^ADIA^' FISHERIES EXPEDITIOy, 1914-15 15 



6. FAM. COTTID^. 



Cottus scorpius (Linnaeus). 

 Cottus huhalis (Euphrasen). 

 Icelus hicornis (Keinhardt). 



Three species belonging to this family are represented in the material, numbering 

 six specimens in all, these being taken, without exception, from the waters near Prince 

 Edward island and Magdalen island. 



C. scorpius^ JS'o. S3, station 1-4, one specimen of 10 mm.; station 17, one of 11 mm. 

 This species is found on both sides of the Atlantic, and extends some considerable 

 distance to the northwaid, as far as Spitzlierjien. 



According to Jordan and Evermann, it occurs to the southward along the coast as 

 far as Eastport, Maine. In the European waters, C scorpius deposits its egg capsules 

 in midwinter, and the young are subsequently encountered as plankton in the spring. 

 It is noted, however, that in this species, internal fertilization may take place, and 

 tbat the ova may therefore be in a far advanced stage of development before being 

 spawned; this occurs especially in the northerly waters. 



C. huhalis (Euph.) Two specimens from No. 3S, station 17 — both of 6 mm. — 

 agree very well with the larvae of C. huhalis, and have been ascribed to this species, 

 although Jordan and Evermann regard it as doubtful whether C. huhalis occurs on the 

 western side of the Atlantic. 



Icelus hicornis (Reinhardt) was taken at Princess station 7 (14 mm.) and another 

 of 10 mm. at No. 38 station 15. 



This species is an arctic circumpolar form, penetrating, however, southward along 

 the east coast of America as far as cai)e Cod. Eoth the specimens here taken were 

 found in comparatively sliallow water. 



7. FAM. AGONID^. 



Agonus decagonus (Scluieider). 



One specimen of 2^ mm. was taken by the Princess at station 7, and strangely 

 enough, at the surface. A. decagonus is otherwise found for the most part at some con- 

 siderable depth, down to a couple of hundred fathoms, and in very cold water about 

 0° C. As to its propagation, little is known. 



Aspidophoroides monopterygius (Bloch). 



One specimen of 15 mm. taken by the No. 33 at station 21 (C. Gaspe) should 

 probably be referred to this species. In point of habitus, it is very like Agonus deca- 

 gonus, but differs from this in having but one dorsal fin. On the other hand, it has 

 very spinous scales, and differs in this from A. monopterygius; possibly, however, this 

 may be a larval character. 



8 FAM. BLENNIID^. 



Chirolophis sp. 



(Plate II. Fig. 8; Table lid.) 



Two species belonging to the family Blenniidse were foinid, of which the one could 

 not be determined with certainty. 



This was found (no less than sixty-three specimens) throughout the whole of the 

 gulf St. Lawrence, and out towards the Newfoundland banks. The number of vertebrae, 

 about 13-1- 42 or a total of about 55, agrees very well with that of Chirolophis galerifa 

 (L.) Walb. It differs slightly, however, from this in the shape of the head and 

 intestines, while the pigmentation appears to be of more or less the same character. 



