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SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS 



[VOL. 47 



month old, figured by Ehrcnbaum, was about 2 /-, of an inch (10 

 millimeters) long and still preserved the completely rayless and un- 

 divided fin membrane, but membranous pectorals had been de- 



Fig. 54. — Sculpin larva four weeks old (after Ehrenbaum). 



veloped (although no ventrals), pigmentation had farther advanced, 

 the jaws had become better marked and prominent, and even the 

 position of the future occipital spines was indicated. At a still more 

 advanced stage, when about ^4 of an inch (18 millimeters) long, the 

 fins had become differentiated and their rays partially developed, 

 ventrals also had appeared, the head was well outlined, and even the 



Fig. 55. — Young Sculpin, 18 mm. long (after Ehrenbaum). 



spines had become manifest. In fine, a recognizable cottid was to 

 be seen. Mcintosh found some in June about an inch long, " with 

 adult characters " and well developed rays. At such a stage the 

 ground is resorted to. Growth continues ; on the first anniversary 

 they range from about a little more than two to three inches (57 to 

 75 millimeters) in length ; on the second nearly four inches. Some 

 may be sexually mature at that age ; for a female, not quite four 

 inches (98 millimeters) long, observed by Mcintosh, " had almost 

 ripe eggs," but most of them do not begin to propagate till they are 

 about six inches long. 



VIII 



The Sculpin has little economical importance among the nations of 

 Europe or in America. According to Day, it is " not used " in 

 Britain ; according to Moreau it is considered of no use in France. 

 In Scandinavia, we learn from Smitt, " it is only the female 

 . . . that is used for food by the poor, who prove the truth of the 

 proverb : ' The Sculpin is the best of fishes when there is no other 



