416 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XXI, July 1967 
yards inside the mouth, and station C-lA about 
75 yards inside the mouth. Station C-2 is lo- 
cated \ mile, and C-3 ^ mile, from the mouth. 
Figure 3 shows the collection sites in relation 
to stream gradients, and maximum upstream 
effects of tidal fluctuations in salinity and depth. 
Stations C-0 through C-9 are all subject to tidal 
fluctuations in depth, whereas stations C-0 
through C-3 are tidally inundated with mixo- 
haline waters. 
Barnacles ( Balanus sp.) are found at stations 
C-0 through C-3, and permanent beds of the 
oyster Crassostrea gigas are located between sta- 
tions C-l and C-lA, and at C-2. Typical fish 
associates in areas C-0 through C-3 are Lepto- 
cottus armatus, Platichthys stellatus, and, 
throughout the summer, young-of-the-year Cot- 
tus aleuticus. Oligocottus maculosus and Clino- 
cottus actiticeps are commonly found upstream 
as far as station C-2. 
RESULTS OF FIELD STUDIES 
The prickly sculpin is distributed primarily in 
the lower 4 miles of the Little Campbell River. 
Especially in spring, 1961, an increased number 
of C. asper were present in the lower reaches 
of the river, around the spawning site (station 
C-2). Over the first 9-month sampling period, 
no C. asper were captured in stations upstream 
of C-2 2. With three exceptions, none was taken 
in the fast-flowing, high gradient area of the 
stream below C-20 and above C-ll (Fig. 3). 
This area is densely populated with the coast 
range sculpin, Cottus aleuticus. Figure 4 illus- 
trates the disjunct distribution of yearlings, 
subadult, and adult prickly sculpins. 
From late February to early March the prickly 
sculpin undertakes a migration downstream to 
the estuary. The only area in the lower 4 miles 
of stream in which suitable spawning substrate 
(large cobbles, flat rocks) occurs is a stretch 
about 100 yards long lying J mile upstream 
from the mouth (station C-2, Figs. 2 and 3). 
The males, which come into spawning condi- 
tion earlier in the season than the females (see 
below), select nesting sites under large cobbles 
or flat rocks in areas of the stream bed with 
current velocities equal to or less than 1 cubic 
ft/second (at low tide). Apparently it is im- 
