The Ocellated Sucker. 



437 



The Lump-sucker is very remarkable for the manner 

 in which its ventral fins are arranged. They are united 

 by a membrane so as to form a kind of oval and concave 

 disc, by means of which it is enabled to adhere with 

 great force to any substance to which it fastens itself. 

 Pennant says, that, on throwing an individual of this 

 species into a pail of water, it adhered so firmly to the 

 bottom that, on taking the fish by the tail, the whole 

 pail was lifted up, though it held some gallons. 



In the Northern seas great numbers of the different 

 species of Lump-suckers are devoured by the seals, who 

 swallow all but the skins, quantities of which thus 

 emptied are seen floating about in the spring months ; 

 it is said that the spots where the seals carry on their 

 depredations can be readily distinguished by the 

 smoothness of the water. 



THE OCELLATED SUCKER, 



(Lepadogaster cormibicus,) 

 ANOTHER Malacopterygious fish, a relative of the Lump- 



