THE SPAWNING RACE. 69 



torn is covered with fine gravel. Together they 

 work, and by slow, but steady and oft-repeated 

 sweeps of their tails, a hole of a circular form is 

 excavated, varying from one to three feet in di- 

 ameter, and from one to five inches in depth. 

 This work being accomplished, they both remain 

 perfectly quiet for some time, the period varying 

 from a few minutes to several hours. During this 

 time they appear almost entirely unconscious of 

 the approach of their enemies, and may frequently 

 be seized by the hand and captured without resist- 

 ance. In fact, before the enactment of the present 

 admirable laws, this was the favorite period of 

 their capture, as a loop of wire, attached to the 

 end of a short stick, was all that was required. 

 Suddenly, however, the female bends her body 

 into a curve, the tail and head elevated, and the 

 abdomen pressed against the bottom of the exca- 

 vation. On seeing this, the male at once takes his 

 position at her side, his head being about even 

 with her dorsal fin, both fishes heading down 

 stream. Pressing her abdomen firmly upon the 

 gravel, the female moves herself forward about 

 one-third of her length, at the same time emitting 

 a number of eggs. At once a few drops of milt 

 are-ejected by the male, and both back up stream 

 to their former position. Again and again is this 

 process repeated, until all the ova are deposited, 



