16 



Part III. — Twenty-fourth Annual Report 



female produced a total of about 163,500 eggs, and the second one 

 a total of 252,700. The eggs of one of the fishes were found to be 

 smaller than those of the other, and towards the end of the 

 spawning the size of the egg became reduced in each case. 



The Spawning of the Lumpsucker and the Paternal 

 Guardianship of the Eggs. 



A paper by Dr. Fulton describes the spawning of the Lumpsucker 

 and the remarkable assiduity with which the male guards the eggs 

 during the period of incubation, which lasts for about two months. 



Daring all this time the male stands sentinel over the eggs, 

 repelling the attacks of intruders, pursuing other males that 

 approach them, constantly aerating them by a movement of his 

 fins, and by spouting currents of water on them from his mouth, 

 and refusing all food until almost the end of his long vigil. 



We have the honour to be, 



Your most obedient Servants, 



ANGUS SUTHERLAND, Chairman. 



D. CRAWFORD, Depity-Chairman. 



D'ARCY W. THOMPSON. 



W. R. DUGUID. 



L. MILLOY. 



D. MEARNS. 



H. WATSON. 



WM. C. ROBERTSON, Secretary. 



