GEN. GASTEROSTEUS. STICKLEBACKS. 159 



and greedy little fish, extremely destructive to the 

 fry of other species, and consequently most injurious 

 in fish-ponds, from which it is difficult to extirpate 

 them. In illustration of these statem^ts, we learn 

 from Mr. Baker " that they spring more than a foot 

 perpendicularly out of the water, and to a much 

 greater distance in an oblique direction when desir- 

 ous of overcoming any opposing obstacle. It is 

 moreover scarcely to be conceived what damage 

 they do, and how greatly detrimental they are to 

 the increase of all the fish in general among which 

 they live ; for it is with the utmost industry, saga- 

 city, and greediness that they seek out and destroy 

 all the young fry that come in their way, which are 

 pursued with the utmost eagerness, and swallowed 

 down without distinction, provided they are not too 

 large ; and in proof of this, I must assert, that a 

 banstickle which I kept for some time, did, on the 

 4th of May, devour, in five hours' time, seventy- 

 four young dace, which were about a quarter of 

 an inch long, and of the thickness of a horse- 

 hair. Two days afterwards, it swallowed sixty- 

 two; and would, I am persuaded, have eaten as 

 many every day, could I have procured them 

 for it." 



(Sp.26.) G.trachurvs. The Rough-tailed Three- 

 spined Stickleback. (PL VI.) The distinguishing 

 characters of this species are included in its lengthy 

 name, the lateral plates extending to the base of the 

 tail, which appendage is square at its base. It is one 

 of the largest and most powerful of the genus, both in 



