ON THE NESTS OF THE FIFTEEN-SPIKED STICKLEBACK. 201 



eyes of the ernbryo, at this period disproportionally large and developed. 

 Masses of eggs, in different stages of their evolution, are met with in the 

 same nest. It is evident that the fish must first deposit its spawn amid 

 the growing fucus, and afterwards gather its branches together around 

 the eggs, weaving and incorporating at the same time all the rubbish that 

 is lying or floating around the nucleus. 



For the safety of its nest and spawn, the fish is apparently very anxious 

 for a time. Some individuals were watched, by Mr Duncan and the 

 Rev. Mr Turnbull, for some weeks, and it was observed that the same 

 fish was always in attendance upon its own nest. During the time of 

 hope and expectation, they become fearless, and will allow themselves to 

 be taken up by the hand repeatedly, There can be no doubt that their 

 object in remaining near the nest is to guard it against the attacks of 

 such animals as might feel inclined to prey upon its contents. 



NOTE. Since the preceding notice was read to the Club, the 2d vo- 

 lume of Mr Swainson's Natural History of Fishes, &c. has been pub- 

 lished ; and I find that in it these nests are said to be constructed by the 

 Gobies, on the authority of Olivi. The question is worth further inquiry ; 

 but on mentioning this statement of Olivi's to Mr Maclaren of Colding- 

 liam, he assured me that he had seen and watched the stickleback in the 

 act of making the nests we have just described. G. J. 



Note on Dr DOUGLASS paper on the Cessation of the Flotc of the River 



Teviot. 



The drying up of the northern rivers in 1748, is similarly accounted 

 for in the Gentleman's Magazine for April, p. 152, by a correspondent 

 at Carlisle. He says, " although the snows in February were heaped on 

 the mountains, by strong winds, intensely cold, yet there was a ground 

 thaw in the plains. This constant drift of snow on the mountains, and 

 intense cold of the air, consolidated the flakes in their descent" (mean- 

 ing, I suppose, as they floated down on the surface of the water), "and 

 a long succession of these congealed every standing pool, or mill-dam in 

 the channel, to the bottom. So that the intermediate channel became dry. 



" The different courses of the freezing air, and the situation of the 

 mountains, with respect to the several rivers, were the cause why this 

 circumstance did not happen to all on the same day. And that several 

 adjoining rivers did not freeze must be attributed to their running 

 through a more level, and, therefore, a warmer country ; and for the 

 same reason some parts of the Esk might have little ice, as it is not all 

 surrounded by mountains." T. K. 



