112 MB. FRA.1TCIS DAI ON 



may not be amiss to point out that the Acanthopterygian, or spiny- 

 rayed, fishes appear to be most numerous in the ocean (preying 

 upon their articulated-rayed neighbours the Clupeidse &c.); but 

 as we examine waters more inland, the Salmonidae or Cyprinidse 

 usurp their place, these latter not being possessed of spinate, but 

 merely articulated rays. A maritime residence appears most 

 adapted for the Acanthopterygian or spiny-rayed fishes ; a fresh- 

 water inland one to the Malacopterygian, or spineless forms. The 

 family Gasterosteidae, however, are found in both localities, and, 

 being so, are well worthy of particular attention. 



M. Blanchard observes of the Grasterosteidae, that it is in the 

 vicinity of the coast that we find the species in which the arma-^ 

 ture is most largely developed, whilst those having the free por- 

 tion of the tail unarmed are met with at the greatest distance 

 inland. 



The single known marine species G. spinacMa has about fifteen 

 dorsal spines, whilst laterally the body is covered with plate-like 

 scales. In the inland forms we do not find such a numerous de- 

 velopment of the dorsal spines. The G. pungitius to which I 

 shall have to allude, is possessed of the most (or nine) spines ; 

 but these may be materially reduced in number, as to four, or even 

 to two ; whilst its ventral spine may be entirely wanting, owing 

 to a non-development of the pubic plate. 



Amongst the fishes which I obtained were the following : — 



Gasterosteus pungitius, LinncBUS, Yarrell, GiintJier, Couch, Sfc. 



Length of head 3| to 4^, of caudal 5§ to 7j ; height of body 5^ to 6i 

 in the total length. Eyes, diameter 3j to 4 in the length of head, 

 one diameter from the end of snout, and also apart. The maxilla 

 extends posteriorly to below the front edge of the eye. Fins, first eight 

 dorsal spines of varying length, but low, being about half the height 

 of the rays, all smooth, the last being invariably the longest ; caudal 

 slightly lobed. Ventrals entirely absent in eleven out of thirteen 

 specimens, whilst the pubic plate was also deficient. 

 Out of 13 specimens varying from 1*4 inch to 2*1 inches in 

 length were the following : — ■ 



specimens, each 1-7 | ^ ^ ^. ^ ^ ^ ^2. 



inch long J 



specimens, from 1-4 1 jy 8-9/9-10, P.10,V.O, A. 1/9^10, C. 12. 

 to 1'9 inch long ... J 



2 



inch 

 9 

 to 



