BRITISH FRESH- WATER FISHES 



source of supply that one wonders how, unless artificially 

 introduced, they ever came to be there. Some are 

 discovered in waters that, unless in flood or spate, are 

 often almost dried up, or in inaccessible pools; others are 

 found inhabiting dykes, ditches, small water courses, 

 and other unlikely places. The distribution of fresh- 

 water fishes, and their likes and dislikes, are extremely 

 interesting, and so one might continue the fascinating 

 story. Some, let it be noted, keep at the bed of the 

 water, others are surface-lovers, and rarely condescend 

 to go to the bottom unless for spawning purposes. 

 Some are of solitary disposition, others appear to find it 

 imperative, or rather essential, to adopt " shoaHng " 

 habits. 



Fishes deposit eggs, but this is not true of them all as, 

 in one of the Museums at Cambridge (and doubtless 

 elsewhere), there is a very wonderful specimen of a 

 small Roach-Hke fish (although I believe it is a marine 

 species), showing the female carrying her own young, 

 packed inside her body Hke the proverbial " Sardines in 

 a tin ! " A viviparous fish is surely an intensely in- 

 teresting creature, and whilst they are all of supreme 

 interest in their various capacities, this one in particular 

 must be singled out for special mention. As a rule, 

 however, eggs are laid. These may be found among 

 gravel, mud, or rocks, or placed upon water plants. 

 After the female has produced her eggs (and she deposits 

 an abundance of them so as to guard against accidents, 



enemies, and waste), the male passes over them for 

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