OR, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FRESH-WATER PLANTS. 



It is composed of four concave scales turned up- 

 wards ; and the opportunity of observing this curious 

 creature was deemed, by the enthusiastic naturalist 

 I am quoting, a more interesting event than even 

 the capture of the fifteen-spined Stickleback itself. 

 The first three species of Sticklebacks, just described, 

 have been considered by some as merely accidental 

 varieties ; and none of these ever exceed two and a 

 half inches in length. 



Some of the habits of these interesting little 

 fish are very graphically described by a writer in 

 London's " Magazine of Natural History." A 

 number being placed, as he informs us, in a 

 wooden vessel of considerable size, at first swam 

 about in a shoal, as if exploring the nature and 

 capacities of their new habitation. Suddenly, one 

 of the party took possession of a particular corner, 

 and succeeded in beating oft 7 his companions from 

 that part of the domain. First, however, a furious 

 battle ensued, the combatants swimming round each 

 other, fencing with the utmost skill, each watch- 

 ing for an opportunity to dash at his opponent with 

 his sharp spines fully extended, or failing such an 

 opportunity, resorting to the warfare of the mouth. 

 Such a contest frequently lasts several minutes 

 before either gives way. "When one at last retires, 



