43 



tilised. It is more than probable that the male Cottus guards 

 the eggs, although the fact has never been observed definitely, at 

 all events in the marine species. Here we have an example of an 

 immature female actuated by the same impulse. The females 

 which laid the eggs did not take any farther interest in them. 



We have not much knowledge of the behaviour of the parents 

 with reference to the care of the eggs in Cottoids. In the case of 

 Cottus gobio, Marsigli stated that the female scooped out the cavity 

 in which the eggs were laid, and afterwards watched over them. 

 From information derived from fishermen, also of the Danube 

 region, Heckel and Kjier said that the male Cottus gobio prepared 

 the nest, and watched the eggs. Day states that the male Cottus 

 scorpius is said to make a nest of seaweed and shells for the recep- 

 tion of the spawn, which he is also believed to watch over, and to 

 protect the young when hatched. 



