330 Some Account of the Sticklebach. 
Pennant in his Brztish 
Zoology, vol.iv. p. 353 :— 
** Branchiostegous rays, 
three; belly covered w ith 
bony plates ; fin one, dor- 
sal, with several sharp 
spines between it and the head.” He further says, ‘* These 
are common in many of our rivers, but no where in greater, 
quantities than in the fens of Lincolnshire, and some of the 
rivers that creep out of them. At Spalding there are, once 
in seven or eight years, amazing shoals that appear in the 
Welland, and come up the river in form of a vast column. 
This species seldom reaches the length of 2in.; the eyes 
are large; the belly prominent; the body near the tail 
square ; the sides are covered with large bony plates, placed 
transversely. On the back are shires sharp spines, that 
‘an be raised or depressed at pleasure; the dorsal fin is 
placed near the tail; the pectoral fins are broad; the ventral 
fins consist each of one spine or rather plate, of unequal 
lengths, one being large, the other small; between both is a 
flat | bony plate, reaching : almost to the vent; beneath the vent 
is a short spine, and then succeeds the anal fin; the tail con- 
sists of twelve rays, and is even at the end. hie colour of 
the back and sides is an olive ereen; the belly white; but i in 
some the lower jaws and belly are of a bright crimson.” 
Having, at various times, kept these little fish during the 
spring, and part of the summer months, and paid close atone 
tion to their habits, I am enabled, from my own experience, 
to vouch for the facts I am about to relate. I have generally 
kept them in a deal tub, about 3 ft. long, 2 ft. wide, and about 
2 ft. deep. When they ¢ we put in for some time, probably a 
day or two, they swim about in a shoal, apparently exploring 
their new habitation. Suddenly one will take possession of 
the tub, or, as it will sometimes happen, the bottom, and will 
instantly commence an attack upon his companions ; and if any 
of them ventures to oppose his sway, a regular and most furious 
battle ensues: they swim round and round each with the 
greatest rapidity, biting (their mouths being well furnished 
with teeth) and endeavo ouring to pierce each other with their 
lateral spines, which on these occasions are projected. I have 
witnessed a battle of this sort which lasted several minutes 
before either would give way 3 and, when one does submit, 
imagination can hardly conceive the vindictive fury of the con- 
queror, who, in the most persevering and unrelenting way 
chases his rival from one point of the tub to another, until 
fairly exhausted with fatigue. From this period an interest- 
ing change takes place in the conqueror, who, from being a 
