170 THREE-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 



suppose, is an indication that they are approaching to life. In 

 making the nest I observed that the fish used an unusual 

 degree of force when conveying the material to its destination. 

 Wlien the fish was about an inch from the nest, it suddenly 

 darted at the spot, and left the tiny fragment in its pla^e, after 

 which it would be engaged for half a minute in adjusting it. 

 The nest, when taken up, did not separate, but hung to^eiht-r 

 like a piece of wool." The place chosen by these Hshes foi- 

 their nests is where the ground forms an inclined plane, and 

 in about six inches of water. 



Individuals of these fishes were placed in a glass vessel, 

 that their proceedings in forming the nest and bringing forward 

 the young might be the more conveniently observed. A nest 

 was accordingly formed, but unfortunately the female died 

 soon after the process of shedding the roe had been perfected. 

 The male was seen to be often engaged in throwing a cur- 

 rent of water through the nest, and in an early part of the 

 proceeding he often rubbed his body over it, which was 

 supposed to be for the purpose of shedding the milt. The 

 eggs, in number about fifty, were brought to life in three 

 weeks, and at first the young appeared transparent. The 

 male, which, in other instances also, seemed to have the sole 

 care and protection of the brood, attended ujDon them care- 

 fully; and if any one of them trespassed beyond the allotted 

 bounds, he followed and brought the truant back in his 

 mouth, and again replaced it in or near the nest. 



The Swedish naturalist Eckstrom gives, as the result of his 

 observation, a different account from this; and it will be worthy 

 of inquiry whether the proceeding may be different in different 

 countries. As soon, says he, as the nest is ready, the male 

 dresses himself in his finest colours, which are blue, green, 

 yellow, and silver; and swimming among the shoals of females 

 which are assembled in the neighbourhood ready to deposit 

 their roe, he lures one of them into the little arbour; and when 

 she has spawned he proceeds to entice another, until at last he 

 has accumulated a large number of eggs; over which he keeps a 

 strict guard until they are hatched, which is in about three 

 weeks; and even after this his care does not cease, for he is 

 seen even to collect food and bring it within their reach. 



It is thus that protection of the young is the important 



