GOBIID^. 173 



tlie bottom, most examples having been dredged at about 30 fathoms depth. 

 Brought to the surface, their air-bladders become distended, as observed in Aphia 

 (p. 170). Professor CoUett found the stomachs of some captured in June tilled 

 ■with the digested remains of Entomostraca. 



Breeding. — During the summer months, perhaps commencing as early as 

 March or April. During this season the body does not increase in width as 

 observed occurs in Aphia. CoUett suggests that after the conclusion of the 

 spawning the specimens no doubt perish, their life having then lasted only one 

 year. 



Life history. — The young males, as already observed, have the head somewhat 

 pointed as in the females ; the teeth in the jaws are visible, and all the fins 

 normally developed. As maturity is reached the head thickens, the snout 

 becomes short, the extremity of the mandibles are curved upwards and received 

 into an emargination in the upper jaw, while a canine is perceptible at each angle 

 of this prominence of the lower jaw. The young females have the body slender 

 and pointed, jaws toothless, and the first dorsal and ventral fins appear to be 

 wanting. The mature female is much more slender than the adult male. Prof. 

 Collett finding that it required two of the former to balance in weight one of the 

 latter. The head is pointed, the jaws straight and almost or entirely destitute of 

 teeth ; the first dorsal and ventral fins are rudimentary ; the pectorals short, while 

 the rays of the second dorsal and anal are shorter than in the males. 



Habitat. — It has been recorded from the coasts of Norway and Sweden, the 

 most northern point being Christiansund. It is evidently much rarer than Aphia, 

 and partial to more northern localities. 



In May, 1868, Mr. Edward obtained a male from a rock pool at Banff, which 

 he most obligingly placed at my service, and from which my figure was taken ; it 

 is magnified to twice the natural size. 



