58 Aquatic Life 
body and fins become resplendent with 
iridescent colors and quiver with intense 
excitement. After the eggs are extruded 
the male takes up a position below his 
mate and secures them, to the number 
Nest of Betta splendens 
Photograph by the Author 
of six or so, in his mouth. He there 
gives them a coating of mucous and 
places them beneath the bubbles to which 
they adhere. ‘The scene is re-enacted 
until from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred eggs are produced. The fe- 
male is not allowed in the vicinity of the 
Joating nest when laying is completed, 
and the male is untiring in the care of 
‘he eggs, constantly moving their posi- 
lion and recoating them with mucous. 
On the third day the eggs hatched ; 
the young fishes remained beneath the 
bubbles for some time, but occasionally 
showed a tendency to sink. They were 
immediately taken in charge by the 
watchful father and replaced. Ina day 
or two the numbers disposed to leave 
the shelter of the nest increased to such 
an extent that the male could not pos- 
sibly secure them all, though he fre- 
quently had seven or eight in his mouth 
at once. He would search for them 
most diligently at the bottom of the 
aquarium, and securing 
them back to the cradle. 
however, eaten by the female, and all the 
remainder died when winter set in. 
I was much more successful with the 
Paradise fish. 1 bought these in the 
city, and understood they were obtain- 
ed in China. The life-history of this 
fish was previously known, but compar- 
ison brought out some additional facts. 
The eggs of this fish do not sink, and I 
was led to ascertain, if possible, what 
real object the male has in so zealously 
To this end, as soon 
some carry 
Many were, 
guarding the eggs. 
as a complement was produced, I remov- 
ed them, along with the nest of bub- 
bles, to another aquarium. They hatch- 
ed in the usual course, and in the ab- 
sence of enemies were soon able to look 
after themselves. With the view of 
ascertaining the function of the bubbles, 
I removed, from another nest, some of 
the newly deposited eggs, and carefully 
rejected all bubbles. As before, these 
(Paradise Fish) 
Macropodus viridi-auratus 
eges developed equally with those left 
under paternal care. It would seem, 
therefore; that the purpose of the nest 
and care of the parent is simply protec- 
tive. ‘The mass of spume hides the eggs 
or young from aerial or terrestrial ene- 
mies, while the attendance and vigilance 
