324 New Species of Stickleback. 



Scapular bones not visible externally. Pectoral fin, broad, sepa- 

 rated by a rounded triangular space from the operculum, nearly 

 straight above, rounded below, composed of eleven rays, the two 

 lower soft and simple. Ventrals, consisting each of a stout spine, 

 with the base sheathed in the integument. Pelvic bones, very 

 narrow and pointed backward, thickly covered by integument. 

 Dorsal spines, 5 or 6 (in so far as observed, 5 in the female, 6 in 

 the male) ; short, stout, and with broad, triangular membranes ; 

 anterior spine shortest ; spines usually only partially erected, and, 

 when depressed, concealed in the dorsal groove ; second dorsal 

 of ten rays, second and third longest; the others rapidly dimin- 

 ishing toward the posterior end of the fin. Anal fin with one 

 detached, curved, stout, membraned spine in front, in form similar 

 to dorsal, and with ten rays. Caudal fin, broad at base, even 

 posteriorly, of fourteen rays. First dorsal spine, above the inser- 

 tion of the pectoral fin ; last, above the beginning of the anal fin. 

 Colour above, dull dark olive, with irregular darker blotches; 

 abdominal region and lower part of gill -covers, pearly gray. 

 Whole body doited with minute black points. Male darker than 

 female. 



This species is found plentifully in most of the small streams 

 near Montreal. Tts food appears to consist principally of minute 

 worms and Crustacea. Its armature of spines and quickness in 

 hiding enable it to inhabit with safety very shallow and exposed 

 places ; but it is easily taken with a dip-net, and great numbers 

 are captured by young anglers for bait. It is easily kept in 

 aquaria, finding its food in the minute inhabitants of the water, 

 if a few tufts of algse are kept to shelter and feed them. It has 

 however the bad character of attacking and destroying other small 

 fishes with its formidable spines. 



I am indebted to Mr. Putnam, assistant to Prof. Agassiz in the 

 Museum of Comparative Anatomy at Cambridge, for comparing 

 this species with specimens in that collection or described in the 

 United States. It is nearly allied to G. millepunctatus of Ayres. 



I am indebted for the outline in Figure 1, to Mr. R. J. Fowler, 

 who has been so successful in representing our larger Canadian 

 fishes. 



