STATION OF THE MALES. 97 



mixed with the ova of the female, as the stream drifts them 

 past him. 



" The exception noticed occurred thus : the female was 

 lying on the spawning-ground, when suddenly the male, 

 which had previously been at some little distance, swam up, 

 and laid himself immediately alongside of her. Although 

 their proceedings were most carefully watched, nothing that 

 could be construed into sexual intercourse took place between 

 them ; nor did either fish in any way alter its swimming 

 position; but a vibration or champing of the jaws of the 

 male was distinctly remarked whilst he was by her side. 

 This the observer was enabled to distinguish, in consequence 

 of the dark colour of the fish contrasting with the lighter 

 colour of its mouth when opened. The vibration continued 

 for a second or two, when the male left ihe female and 

 retired below." 



It has been shown that whilst the female is spawning, the 

 male is stationed some few feet in her rear. Again, at a 

 respectful distance behind him say twelve or fifteen feet, but 

 still in a direct line with the female a lot of trout, sea-trout, 

 and other fish, are always posted, in readiness to pounce 

 on the eggs, when the female starts them adrift with her 

 tail. On the appearance of the several clouds of dirt, it is 

 amusing to see them all scurrying into the thick of it, and 

 following the ova down the stream. 



It has never been observed that the female has a liking for 

 one male more than another ; but it has been repeatedly noticed 

 that some one male in particular occupies the same spot. 



At some little distance to the right and left of this male, 

 two or three other males are usually to be seen, and much 

 of his time is occupied in keeping these interlopers at a 



VOL. i. H 



