JULY 157 



veracity will be found. Dr. Wemyss Fulton, Superin- 

 tendent of Scientific Investigations, obtained four live 

 lumpsuckers from the salmon nets, two males and two 

 females, and placed them in a large tank in the labora- 

 tory. During the night of March 23-24, both the 

 female lumpsuckers spawned, depositing the two large 

 masses of eggs, luckily close to the front of the tank 

 against the glass, where subsequent proceedings could 

 be clearly watched. The mothers retired to the darkest 

 corner of the tank, where they lay nearly motionless 

 for some days, doubtless going on ' as well as could be 

 expected.' Interest was now concentrated on the con- 

 duct of the male fishes. Dr. Fulton supposes that in 

 the night a contest had taken place between them for 

 the sole guardianship of the two nurseries, which their 

 thoughtless spouses had placed so inconveniently near 

 each other. If so, one of the fathers had been hope- 

 lessly worsted in battle, ' and never regained courage to 

 attempt further contest for his rights, but displayed a 

 most craven spirit from first to last, lurking in the 

 darkest part of the tank, as far from his rival as he 

 could get.' The victor took both masses of eggs under 

 his charge, never leaving them for a moment during 

 two months' vigil, except when he made furious 

 charges at flounders or other occupants of the tank 

 which strayed near him. 



' The flounders soon came to understand the position, and 

 avoided the corner where the eggs were lying. They chose 

 to occupy the other side of the tank, preferring the company 

 of an old lobster, though he was in the habit of catching one 

 of them by stealth occasionally and devouring it. His quiet, 



