32 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



G. pungitius. Lin. The ten-spined Stickleback. 



Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. t. iv. p. 506. 

 Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. i, p. 85. 



This species I also received from Mr. Russell, who found it 

 with the preceding. The general description of the "pungitius" 

 answers to this species — but the appearance of the two varies 

 in some particulars. 



Length of species two inches and three lines ; greatest depth 

 two lines. Color grayish, with from six to ten transverse dark 

 bands, very distinct in some specimens, in others scarcely visi- 

 ble. In the same specimen, these bands are much more appa- 

 rent at some moments than at others, as the fish is excited by 

 fear or other causes. Body beneath, silvery. Eyes nearly a 

 line in width ; pupil, of a deep black ; iris, metallic-colored. 

 The upper edge of Ventral spine serrated. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 10-11 ; P. 11 ; V. 1 ; A. 

 1-9; C. 13. 



After death, this and the preceding species become much 

 lighter-colored ; the bands in a great measure disappear, and 

 the careless observer would scarcely believe he beheld the 

 same fishes as those he had lately admired in their native 

 beauty. 



In a paper read before the Boston Society of Natural His- 

 tory, in 1836, 1 noticed the " G aster osteus quadratus" Mitchell, 

 as being found in our waters. The specimen upon which I 

 founded this belief, was in a mutilated state, and is still in the 

 cabinet of that Society. Having met with no species of u Gas~ 

 terosteus" since that time, with four dorsal spines, save the 

 " apeltes" — and being therefore inclined to think that that 

 specimen may be the apeltes, I am unwilling to assert that 

 the " quadratus" is found in our State. 



