24> FISHES. 



parent, who carries them into the security of 

 deep water.* 



The Pipe-fishes have a still more curious eco- 

 nomy ; for the male here acts as wet-nurse. He 

 is provided with a pouch, like that of the Mar- 

 supial quadrupeds, into which he receives the 

 spawn as it is deposited by his mate, and in which 

 he carries it about until the young are hatched. 

 But this is not all, for, as if to make the resem- 

 blance to the Marsupials complete, the young 

 are in the habit of retiring for shelter into the 

 parental pouch, for some time after they are able 

 to leave it and roam at their own pleasure. 



A species of Goby inhabiting the Mediter- 

 ranean, is mentioned by Aristotle by the name of 

 Phycis, as the only fish that makes a nest for the 

 reception of its spawn. Modern naturalists con- 

 firm the accuracy (but not the exclusiveness) of 

 the observation. The nest is composed of sea- 

 weeds and grass-wrack {Zoster a) ; and the male 

 guards the female during the act of spawning, and 

 protects the young when developed. 



Habits somewhat similar have been observed 

 in certain species of the genus Callichthys, in- 

 habiting the rivers of Demerara ; one of which 

 forms a nest of grass, another of leaves. These 

 fishes are provincially known by the name of 

 Hassars ; the male and female remain by the nest 

 till the young are hatched, with the solicitude of 

 a hen guarding her eggs, and courageously attack 

 any intruder. The negroes avail themselves of 

 this boldness to capture them, for, on putting 

 their hands into the water near the nest, and 

 stirring it, the male Hassar, instead of retiring, 

 * Yarrell, Britisli Fishes, ii. 367- 



