THE STICKLEBACK 83 



of the males, are intensely social in their habits ; but we are 

 assured that the chevalier is by no means ready to pay court 

 to the first comer. He may inspect and address many females 

 before he finds one to his taste. Probably, if we could read his 

 motives, we should find that they were profoundly utilitarian, 

 and that he is looking for a mate in whom, as his senses or 

 instinct inform him, the ova are ripe for spawning. Having 

 made his choice, the bridegroom conducts the nymph toward 

 the nest, with elaborate gestures of attention. Sometimes she 

 is coy. 



" Pooh ! " says she, " you don't expect me to put my 

 nose into a dark hole like that } Let us stay out in the 

 sunshine and do some flirting." " I assure you," we may 

 imagine him replying, " it is not a bad place. It may 

 be a bit rough outside, you know, but it is awfully snug 

 within. Pray do me the great favour to enter and lay 

 an egg or two." ''Oh, don't bother!" says the maiden. 

 " There is lots of time. It is much jollier out here ; besides, 

 I like seeing what is going on in the world. It is so dull 

 within doors." 



After a little more discussion, the master of the house begins 

 to exert his authority. 



" Come, now," says he, '* I have not much time to 

 spare. The season is getting on, and I have been at a 

 lot of trouble fitting up my little place for you. If 

 you don't care to make use of it I must go and find 

 somebody else." 



An arrogant speech, no doubt, inspired as much by 

 confidence in an exceedingly effective set of offensive 

 weapons as by the knowledge that there are plenty of 

 marriageable sticklebacks not far off". If the lady still 

 hesitates, he sets up his spines and dashes about in an 

 agitating way, trying to the steadiest nerves. Perhaps 

 he gives her an admonitory nip or two with his power- 

 ful little jaws, and finally she whisks into the nest, lays 



