182 ITS MANNERS. 



face, and the head near the bottom of the glass, only- 

 bent upwards with a sudden curve : now and then it 

 butts against the side of the vessel, or even against 

 the bottom, with reiterated blows of its nose as if it 

 could not make out why it should not go forward 

 where it can see no impediment. Now it twists 

 about as if it would tie its body into a love-knot ; then 

 hangs motionless in some one of the " lines of beau- 

 ty " in which it has accidentally paused ; its air- 

 bladder conspicuous as a pellucid oblong spot about 

 halfway between the nose and the vent, as you look 

 at its body between your eye and the light ; and then if 

 you apply your lens carefully you will see the constant 

 action of the gill-covers, and the periodical currents 

 of water shot forth behind in two forcible jets, from 

 a minute orifice on each side, just above the operculum 

 edge. The little fin that rides on the middle of the 

 back, so filmy as to be scarcely noticeable while un- 

 moved, is constantly, while the fish is swimming, and 

 at frequent intervals while it is at rest, fluttered with 

 a rapid vibration, like that of the gauzy wing of an 

 insect. This is a very charming action. 



My specimen is about five inches long, which is the 

 size given by Mr. Yarrell as that of adult age ; but I 

 do not see any trace of ova, or of the pouch proper 

 to the male ; it is probable it is a female. 



It does not appear to be nocturnal in its activity : 

 it ordinarily lies quiet, if undisturbed, and concealed 

 among the more bushy of the sea-weeds, for the 

 gieatest portion of its time, but usually comes forth 

 once or twice in the day for a half-hour's play, when 

 it swims about in contortions in the manner I have 



