126 EGGS OF LUMP SUCKER. 



total length 20in., and greatest depth 12in. The 

 eggs were considerably developed, and arranged in 

 curious fimbriated masses, not unlike the disposition of 

 the ova under the tail of the lobster. The entire mass 

 weighed l^lbs., and the total number of eggs by cal- 

 culation was 194,112. I have made casts of both the 

 lump-fish and her eggs, and they form a valuable ad- 

 dition to my museum. Though an awkward -built 

 fish, it is a good swimmer. The tail is the pro- 

 pelling power, and the fish moves it with great velocity, 

 and an action not unlike a clumsy woman running. 

 The apparatus for holding on to the rocks, which is 

 fashioned somewhat like a boy's leathern sucker, is a 

 most curious provision of nature, and shows a wonderful 

 design. The lump-fish carries his anchor close under 

 his chin. The clusters of eggs are generally deposited 

 around a stick or pole, and there are holes in the mass, 

 but whether these holes always represent the places 

 where the piles fitted in I am not quite certain. 



Mr. Bowerbank, of St. Leonard's, kindly sent me 

 a still larger lump-fish, weighing ll^lbs. ; the sucker 

 in this specimen was two to three-quarter inches in 

 diameter, and had most delicate fringe-like edgings. 

 Even after death this sucker retained its powers ; for 

 after casting the fish and having cut out the sucker, 

 leaving the thick side bones under the gills, as it were 

 for handles, and having wetted the window-sill, I 

 placed the sucker flat on it ; and it was just as much 

 as I could do to pull it off, but with any side move- 

 ment there was not the slightest resistance. 



