254 



MONTAGUE'S SUCKER. 



The Lump-lish is said to make a kind of home, and to hover about the spot where the 

 eggs are placed, for the purpose of guarding them from foes. When thus engaged, it is a 

 brave and combative fish, permitting no otlier finny inhabitant of the water to pass within a 

 certain distance of its charge, and, in cases of necessity, biting fiercely with its short but sharp 

 teeth. It is said that after the young have attained some little size, they attach themselves to 

 their careful parent, who conveys the young family into deep water. 



The dimensions of this fish are variable, but the average length is about sixteen inches. 



The Lump-suckers {CyclojderidoE) are included in two genera, four species being known. 

 Cyclopterus Iwnvpus is rather common off the coasts of both Europe and America, though never 

 abundant. A species is found in the North Pacific. 



\M\VV-V\S&. — Cyclopterui lumpm. VIVU'AHOUS i!Lh.NNV. '/xjarces t'mparm. 



There are only two genera in this small family, and both find examples in the seas. 



Of the second genus, the Unctuous Suckee, or Sea-Snail {Ltparis mdgaris), is a good 

 illustration. 



This species appears to be less common in the south than in the north. It derives its 

 names of Unctuous Sucker and Sea-Snail from the soft and slime-covered surface of its body. 

 It seems to prefer the rocky coasts, and may be found in the water-pools at low tide. Tlie 

 color of this fish is pale brown streaked irregularly with a darker tint. Both the dorsal and 

 anal fins are low, long, and reach to the commencement of the taU fin. It is a little fish, 

 seldom exceeding four or five inches in length. 



Montague's Sucker {Liparis 7/io/ita(/ul) is remarkable for its habit of adhering to a stone 

 or rock by the disc, and then curving its body to such an extent that the tail and the head 

 almost meet. Even when merely lying at rest, and not employing the sucker, it assumes this 

 remarkable attitude. It is smaller than the last species, rarely exceeding three inches in 



