OE, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FEESH- WATER PLANTS. 



is quite chameleon-like. The conqueror in a com- 

 hat, from being a speckled dull greenish-looking fish, 

 assumes the rich colouring described, which varies 

 according to varying circumstances. The belly and 

 lower jaws frequently becoming brilliant crimson, 

 and the back sometimes white, or a beautiful cream 

 colour, but more frequently a fine clear apple green. 



These fish, indeed, vary much even in their ordi- 

 nary colouring, some being very nearly black. The 

 little sable warriors, however, only become blacker 

 during a combat, and somewhat paler if defeated. 



The effect of passion upon the colouring of this 

 tribe is strongly illustrated by the existence of a 

 similar power in the marine species, the fifteen- 

 spined Stickleback. This pretty fish is of a fine 

 full olive on the back, becoming rich golden be- 

 neath ; but from sudden terror it has been known 

 to turn to a pale dirty white for eighteen hours, 

 afterwards regaining its usual colour. 



This singular kind of susceptibility in the Stickle- 

 back may be curiously illustrated by placing some 

 of the most brightly coloured in a white vessel, in 

 the dark, when they quickly become nearly white, 

 regaining their colour when exposed in an ordinary 

 vessel to the light. It is said they will assume, in 

 a greater or less degree, the colour of any vessel in 



