CHAPTER VII. 



THE STICKLEBACK. 



THERE are six species of sticklebacks in English waters. These are, 

 Gasterosteus trachurus, or the rough tailed stickleback ; G . semi- 

 armatus, or half armed ; G. leiurus, or smooth tailed ; G. brachy- 

 centrus, (with short prickles or spine), or short spined ; G. spinulosus, 

 or spiny, having four spines on the back ; and G. pungitius, or the 

 prickly stickleback, having ten spines on the back. All these species 

 have various characteristics in common. They are generally scaleless, 

 and are all plated or mailed on the sides. They also all have spines. 

 The usual size is from lin. to Sin. rarely, however, the latter. The 

 fish in appearance is a brilliant little fellow, and has a remarkable 

 power when engaged in the internecine contests taking place so frequently 

 between sticklebacks, of changing his tints and aspect, chameleon-like. 

 At one time the fish blushes over with an almost phosphorescent glow, 

 and at another it pales to a sheeny silver, shot with green. This notable 

 peculiarity is chiefly shown during the spawning season, and leads me to 

 make a few remarks upon another exceedingly interesting characteristic 

 of the little fish. 



It is an accepted fact that fish of nearly all kinds are morally true 

 to their physical distinction of cold-bloodedness, so far as affection is 

 concerned. In English waters there are, so far as I know, only two 

 exceptions. One, as before noted, is the bullhead, and the other is the 

 fish under consideration. Indeed, this latter displays an affection for its 

 young and a ferocity in protecting its nest, ova, or fry truly wonderful 

 to observe. Mr. Pennell has aptly said that " if the pike is the tyrant 

 of the water, the stickleback is certainly its knight errant." I shall 

 doubtless be pardoned if I enlarge on this curious trait somewhat. 



If the reader will come with me in imagination, I will lead him on a 

 fine May morning to a tiny stream, where the water crowsfoot and water 



