r 'ILL] THE LUMPSUCKER I93 



shoulders first, then the larger tubercles behind from the pectoral 

 region. The concentrated oviform shape is the last phase assumed. 



Fig. 47. — Young Lumpfish 34 mm. 

 long, showing rows of tubercles. 

 After A. Agassiz. 



The essential cyclopterus form thus acquired, further development 

 is chiefly in the line of increase in size and bulk. The growth is 

 rather slow. When a year old, the young fish is about two inches 

 or more in length. 1 



Maturity is probably attained during the third or fourth year. 

 According to Fulton (1892) the "average length" of a mature 

 female is about 18 inches and that of a male between 10 and 11 

 (10.8) inches. 2 An average-sized female would weigh about 10 

 pounds. 3 



VII 



A considerable diversity of opinion prevails respecting the gusta- 

 tory quality of the Lumpsucker. In many places (as in the United 

 States, Canada, and even in France) it is seldom or scarcely ever 

 eaten. One of the objections against it is on account of its smell, 

 or because, as Moreau and Day euphemistically state, "it diffuses an 

 odor which is by no means pleasant." Moreover, "the quality of its 

 flesh is said to be affected by the season, it becoming worthless after 

 spawning," according to Day. It is also said "to dissolve in the 

 mouth like mucilage or oil." In England, formerly it was more 



'According to J. R. Tosli (12th Rep. F. B. Scotl., 1893, Pt- 3, P- 333), a 

 fish caught June 1, 1887, 53 mm. long, had a "calculated age" of a year, 

 the probable month of spawning" having been May. (See also p. 145.) 



2 Fulton's deductions (10th Rep. F. B. Scotl., p. 239) were based on 30 

 individuals and a ratio of 6 females to 24 males. 



3 According to Fulton (9th Rep., p. 253), one female 185^ inches long, 

 weighed 10 pounds 10 ounces; another, 18^2 inches long, 10 pounds g l /> 

 ounces, and a third, \~/ l /% inches long, 7J/2 pounds. The eggs varied from 

 79758 to 136,764; the smallest number was yielded by an i8j/2-pound 

 fish. The mean ratio of weight of mature ovaries to that of fish is more 

 than a quarter (266.51) and varies at least between 223 and 348 (9th Rep., 

 P- 245). 



