SIXTY-TWO SPECIES OF FISHES FROM LAKE ERIE 
393 
patches along dorsal ridge. There are five patches on lateral line which connect more 
or less with some of the dorsal groups by oblique bars, those of the tail region extend- 
ing completely to ventral margin of body. Few chromatophores occur on fins except 
about the two dorsal spines and near the proximal extremity of caudal. 
BREEDING 
An elaborate nest is made by the two-spined stickleback from bits of grass and 
twigs on the sandy bottom of a stream. The male watches over the nest with great 
patience, fanning it with his fins to increase the circulation of water, and leaving only 
to search for food or drive off invaders. He is brilliant at this time, blue and green 
above and red below. It is reported that the male often kills his mate after spawning. 
Family GADIDAE, Codfishes 
61. Lota maculosa (LeSueur). Ling; eel-pout; lawyer; gudgeon; burbot. 
RECORD OF CAPTURE 
Larval and postlarval stages, 3 to 15 millimeters, were quite common in meter- 
net hauls from 5 to 60 meters from the middle of June to the middle of August, 1928, 
especially in the deep hole off Long Point, and from the first week of June until the 
middle of July, 1929. 
DESCRIPTION 
The typical rounded gadoid head and very numerous myomeres render the earliest 
stages readily identifiable, and the elongate marginal fins, chin barbel, and isocercal 
tail mark the older specimens as essentially different from any other lake species. 
3.5-millimeter stage . — Total length, 3.5; standard length, 3.25; length to vent, 1.5; 
greatest depth, 0.7 ; diameter of eye, 0.25 millimeters. Myomeres fairly well developed, 
about 14 to vent plus about 38 behind. Embryonic marginal fin fold originating 
over the fifth myomere behind head, rising to its highest point just behind vent, 
tapering gradually to caudal region, and continuing thence forward along ventral 
side of stomach region, identical with the dorsal. Intestine ending blindly at a dis- 
tance from the body, but not quite at edge of marginal fin, as in cod, haddock, and 
pollock. Bulbous forehead making mouth inferior, lower jaw slightly protruding; 
eye about median in head. Larva characterized chiefly by the very transparent, 
colorless, slender body with many myomeres, relatively short intestine, lophocercal 
tail, well-developed rounded pectorals, and pigment confined to the dark eyes. 
J. 5-millimeter stage . — Total length, 4.5; standard length, 4.35; length to vent, 
1.75; greatest depth, 0.95; diameter of eye, 0.4 millimeters. Myomeres, 14 to vent 
