THE STICKLEBACK 83 
of the males, are intensely social in their habits ; but we are 
assured that the chevalier is by no means ready to pay court 
to the first comer. He may inspect and address many females 
before he finds one to his taste. Probably, if we could read his 
motives, we should find that they were profoundly utilitarian, 
and that he is looking for a mate in whom, as his senses or 
instinct inform him, the ova are ripe for spawning. Having 
made his choice, the bridegroom conducts the nymph toward 
the nest, with elaborate gestures of attention. Sometimes she 
Is Coy. 
“Pooh!” says she, “you don’t expect me to put my 
nose into a dark hole like that? Let us stay out in the 
sunshine and do some flirting.” “I assure you,’ we may 
imagine him replying, “it is not a bad place. It may 
be a bit rough outside, you know, but it is awfully snug 
within. Pray do me the great favour to enter and lay 
an egg or two.” ‘Oh, don’t bother!” says the maiden. 
“ There is lots of time. Itis much jollier out here ; besides, 
I like seeing what is going on in the world. It is so dull 
within doors.” 
After a little more discussion, the master of the house begins 
to exert his authority. 
“Come, now,” says he, “I have not much time to 
spare. The season is getting on, and I have been at a 
lot of trouble fitting up my little place for you. If 
you don’t care to make use of it I must go and find 
somebody else.” 
An arrogant speech, no doubt, inspired as much by 
confidence in an_ exceedingly effective set of offensive 
weapons as by the knowledge that there are plenty of 
marriageable sticklebacks not far off. If the lady still 
hesitates, he sets up his spines and dashes about in an 
agitating way, trying to the steadiest nerves. Perhaps 
he gives her an admonitory nip or two with his power- 
ful little jaws, and finally she whisks into the nest, lays 
