210 OBSERVATIONS ON FISHES. 



of water-insects, ova," or even " fry," said to be its 

 usual food. In the Museum of the Cambridge Phi- 

 losophical Society is a large specimen, measuring 

 four inches and a half in length, which was found at 

 Chesterton sluice, lying dead on the surface of the 

 water, having been choked in the attempt to swallow 

 one of its own species, and more than half its own 

 size. Its prey was still sticking out of its mouth 

 when discovered. Both individuals are preserved in 

 spirit exactly as they were found. 



TEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK.* 



THIS is one of the smallest of our British fishes, 

 and rarely exceeds the length of two inches, being 

 usually, indeed, much less. When found, however, 

 in stagnant water, it sometimes grows considerably 

 larger. In the Museum of the Cambridge Philoso- 

 phical Society are some very large specimens from 

 some pits near Madingley in this county, the 

 largest measuring full two inches and three-quarters 

 in length. 



GOLD-FISH.f 



IT is well known that gold-fish, when kept in a 

 state of domestication and confinement, are subject 

 to great variation of form and character. Occa- 

 sionally the dorsal fin is extremely small, or entirely 

 wanting; in some, the caudal acquires a preter- 



* Gasterosleus pungitius, Linn. t Cyprinus auratus, Linn. 



