406 
making abodement, it may not be so 
easy to prevent a second and a third 
from taking entire possession of all the 
bushes. It is upon this principle of 
creating an offensive smell, that turnip- 
seed is recommended to be steeped 
in train-oil before it is sown; and it 
is said to be a perfect security against 
the bite of the turnip-fly. 
Totnes. J.C. 
— 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
sIR, 
S your Magazine is open to all 
kinds of useful and instructive 
information, the following account of 
the habits of a small fish, which is found 
in all our ponds and brooks, may not 
be impertinent, and may afford your 
readers, more especially those who 
have pursued the study of natural his- 
tory, some amusement; particularly, as 
I am not aware its extreme singularity 
of habits have been noticed by any 
writer. Its Linnean name is Pisci- 
culus aculeatus, stickleback ; its length 
about an inch and a half, and armed 
with five sharp spines, three on the 
back, and one on each side; whence 
its name. In the spring of the year 
the male fish assumes a variety of the 
most beautiful colours ; the throat and 
part of the belly becoming a bright 
scarlet, and the back generally a fine 
sea-green, and occasionally a beautiful 
cream colour, and its whole appear- 
ance extremely bold and gallant. 
At this season I have often confined 
as many as seven or eight males in a 
tub; where, after reconnoitring their 
empire, one will suddenly take posses- 
sion of one of the corners, and attack 
with great spirit any of ‘the others who 
shall dare to invade his territory. It 
will ‘sometimes happen ‘that the four 
corners of the tub may be thus occu- 
pied; and, as invasions must necessa- 
rily take place, conflicts continually 
eccur; and it really is wonderful to 
see with what extraordinary fury and 
animosity they fight, swimming round 
and round ‘each’ other with the most 
inconceivable rapidity, their side spines 
extended, with which ‘they endeavour 
to pierce each other, at the same time 
endeavouring to fasten upon each other 
with their mouths, which are’ armed 
with two formidable rows of teeth. 
Conflicts of this sort I have known to 
last for nearly five minutes, and some- 
times to terminate in the death of one 
of them, for they fight with as much 
fierceness and skill as our modern pu- 
Habits of the Fish called the Stickleback. 
[June 1, 
gilists. It is at these periods of con- 
quest that ‘their colours are brightest ; 
and it is observable, that from the time 
of defeat the fallen hero begins ‘to lose 
his colours and bold appearance, and 
in the course of a day or two becomes 
a speckled and, in comparison, an ugly 
fish, and no longer keeps possession of 
his corner, but submits to the will of 
the usurper. Their bite is so severe, 
that I have frequently known death to 
follow: the bitten part, which is gene- 
rally the tail, becomes furry and white, 
and soon mortifies. Previous to death,’ 
the fish, after losing its colours, as- 
sumes them again; but they are not 
nearly so bright and vivid as when 
they are flushed by victory. 
There is a variety of this species that 
is totally black, that fight, if possible, 
with greater fierceness than the others. 
I had once a small one of this kind 
that sustained a conflict with a much 
larger one of the common sort, which 
terminated in the sable hero being 
absolutely ripped up, and death ‘in 
consequence ensued. 
In my younger days, I have passed 
hours in watching these interesting 
and curious little creatures, and have 
never ceased to be filled with wonder 
and admiration at their extraordinar 
habits—To many this account ma 
appear heightened, and almost fabu- 
lous; but I state simply what T,have 
witnessed, and what any one may 
witness who will take the trouble of 
keeping them. 
If this should appear worthy of your 
notice, I shall be obliged by your in- 
serting it. I could communicate more 
facts, but at present will abstain from 
intruding farther on your columns. © 
April 1822. ra * 
AT HY 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
€ N O man knoweth where his grave 
shall be digged,” is one of the 
sage maxims of the children’of Ma- 
homet, and is generally true. 
A few months ago, in the’ ‘chancel 
of the’ ‘church ‘of Newington, near 
Hythe, ‘and about three miles from 
this place, T discovered a flat stone, 
into which is sunk a brass plate, con- 
taining the following inscription :— 
Doct. Christopher Reitingeras, natione 
Hangarus, Professione Medictis, per | 
Septennium Archiatros, Imperatori 
Russiz, Muscovi, etc. Potentissimo. * 
Sepultus fnit in hac Ecclesia ‘Trices «| 
Die Mensis Decembris 1612i) 115) 100 
ZEtatis Sue 55. 
At 
