SPINY-RAYED FISHES. 75 



of the best-flavoured freshwater fishes of the East-Indian Archi- [^ ase * 

 pelago. Being an almost omnivorous fish and tenacious of 

 life, it seems to recommend itself particularly for acclimatization 

 in other tropical countries, and specimens kept in captivity become 

 as tame as Carp. 



The Mugilidce, or Grey Mullets (Case 14), are characterized by 

 a more or less oblong and compressed body, covered with cycloid 

 scales of moderate size, by the absence of a lateral line, and by 

 their anterior dorsal fin being composed of four stiff spines. They 

 inhabit, in numerous species and in great numbers, the coasts of 

 the temperate and tropical zones. They frequent brackish waters, 

 in which they find an abundance of food, which consists chiefly of 

 organic substances mixed with mud or sand. Several species are 

 more or less abundant on the British coasts. 



The Gastrosteidce, or Sticklebacks (Case 14), are small fishes with 

 elongate, compressed body, without scales, but generally with large 



Fig. 60. 





Stickleback and Nest. 



scutes along the side, and parts of the skeleton forming an in- 

 complete external mail. The ventral tins are abdominal, articulated 



