174 



THREE-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 



satisfy the intention I have in view in the account of these 

 fishes, by giving a description, as well as a figure, of each 

 of the varieties as they have come within my observation; 

 and my earnest thanks are due to Edmund T. Higgins, Esq., 

 of Bristol, for the opportunity I have had of examining some 

 examples of more than the usual size — giants of their race — 

 which were obtained by him from the neighbourhood of 

 Liverpool, and selected from a multitude of others that shewed 

 no difference from the more conunon examples obtained in 

 other districts. 



Willoughby describes this fish as growing to the length of 

 two inches and a quarter, and Mr. Jenyns to three inches. 

 My largest example measured three inches and three fourths; 

 its depth one inch. The body compressed, sloping circularly 



from the first spine to the mouth; under jaw longest, gape 

 rather small, teeth consj^icuous. From the upj)er jaw the 

 head is covered with a cuirass, the border of which bends 

 down at the sides on a line with the gill-covers; a separate 

 plate with a blunt projection about the pectoral fins. The 

 pectoral fins attached to a broad half-circular plate, and below 

 this a plate which extends a rounded angle back towards the 

 belly. On the ridge of the back arc three plates, on the two 

 hindmost of which are seated the two first free spines; a third 

 and shorter spine is close to the origin of the dorsal fin. 

 Four plates pass downward from these dorsal plates or shields, 

 and two of them reach the ventral plates, one of which is 

 broad, and covers the belly to the vent. It is bound down 

 through the whole length, and a prominence or line runs 



