68 Sigurd Johnsen. | 
the eggs are known to be deposited on the bottom, on stones by 
Cyclopterus lumpus, on algae, hydroids etc. by Liparis liparis 
and L. montagui, and the fertilization then takes place. The larvæ 
and young fish are planktonic. The number of eggs by C. lumpus 
abt. 50 000, for the two Liparis-forms I have found no statement, 
but it seems that there is no apparent reduction in the number 
of eggs. In Liparis reinhardti Kr. the total is abt. 300, diameter 
4.1 mm., (COLLETT 1905 b. p. 103); by L. micropus Gthr. the 
ovaries acc. to COLLETT (1902 p. 86) have the appearance described 
above by Paraliparis; in L. reinhardti | have found the same. 
The total of large eggs of P. bathybii is abt. 400 (COLLETT 1905 b.). 
by Rhodichthys | have estimated it at abt. 70. It is reasonable 
to assume that the two last-named deep-sea Cyclopterids may 
have retained the Cyclopterid mode of depositing the eggs on the 
bottom, likewise that they have pelagic larval stages. None such 
have hitherto been found in the Norwegian Sea, but this is of 
no great consequence as it is most probably in the intermediate 
zone the larve are to be looked for and this zone has not been 
well investigated. Moreover Nectoliparis pelagicus, known from 
intermediate layers in the Bering Sea, seems to be nothing but 
a larval stage of a Paraliparis. (V. page 71). 
The number of eggs of Cyclopterus lumpus is comparatively © 
not a great one when taking into consideration that the larve 
are planktonic and thus a considerable amount will be lost before 
getting to the bottom stage. On the other hand the fertilization 
is better provided for than generally is the case in fishes having 
pelagic young stages. If the named deep-sea Cyclopterids have 
the same mode of reproduction but with bathypelagic larve, these 
species may well be upheld on such a low number of eggs (all 
of which being fertilized), as the loss of larve must be consider- 
ably less in the intermediate water-layers and the young fishes 
find suitable places everywhere when seeking bottom. This view 
of the life-history of the said species seems to be supported by _ 
the fact that the “M. Sars” in one haul captured 24 (or 34) 
specimens of Paraliparis bathybii, some with ripe ovaries, others 
«spent. (COLLETT 1905 b.). But what of the facts pointing to 
P. bathybii being a bathypelagic species? These, I think, cannot 
be ignored or put aside as accidental circumstances. lf so I 
venture the following explanations, leaving to future researches 
