TWO- SPOTTED SUCKER. 169 



adhering firmly to any solid object larger than the 

 circumference of the disk Yarrell substitutes the term 

 Cyclopteridce for the family group ; the name Cyclopterus, 

 used for the principal genus, expressing the same thing, 

 that the fins are united in a circular fashion. The word 

 bimaculatus, signifying two-spotted, alludes to two 

 remarkable and conspicuous oval spots of dark purplish 

 brown or red, situated one on each side of the body, 

 just behind the pectoral fin. These spots, being com- 

 paratively large, and separated from the general colour 

 of the body by a well-defined white ring, constitute a 

 very striking and beautiful feature in these little fishes. 

 Their form is flattened ; they have a broad shovel- 

 shaped muzzle, prominent eyes, looking rather upwards, 

 and the head much widened behind; the head, indeed, 

 constitutes more than one -fourth of the entire length ; 

 and at its hinder part, or where the gills open, is far 

 wider than any other part of the fish. They rarely 

 exceed an inch and a half in length. The general hue 

 above is pale red ; but in some specimens they become 

 a nearly uniform lake-purple, in others the hue is a 

 clear orange; while yet in others it is almost white. 

 A band of white, bounded by darker lines, almost in- 

 variably connects the two eyes. Frequently the hue 

 of the body is varied by clouds and patches of dark 

 reddish brown, which patches have a tendency to 



