THE QUARTER-ARMED STICKLEBACK. 101 



This species is said to be extremely common in all the 

 fresh waters of Europe. It is known throughout England 

 by the name of Stickleback, and in Scotland is denomi- 

 nated Banstickle. It is far more common in the districts of 

 the Firth than G. trachurus, and is found in Lochend, Dud- 

 dingston Loch, and in most of the pools and ditches in the 

 neighbourhood. " It is an active and greedy little fish, ex- 

 tremely destructive to the fry of other species, and conse- 

 quently injurious in ponds where these are sought to be 

 preserved." We are informed by Mr Baker, that it will 

 spring not less than a foot perpendicularly out of the water, 

 and to a much greater distance in an oblique direction, when 

 it desires to overcome any opposing obstacle. It is scarce- 

 ly to be conceived what damage these little fish do, and how 

 greatly detrimental they are to the increase of all the fish in 

 general among which they live ; for it is with the utmost 

 industry, sagacity, and greediness that they seek out and 

 destroy all the young fry that come in their way, which 

 are pursued with the utmost eagerness, and swallowed down 

 without distinction, provided they are not too large ; and in 

 proof of this I must assert, that a banstickle which I kept 

 for some time, did, on the 4th of May, devour in five hours' 

 time, seventy-four young dace, which were about a quarter 

 of an inch long, and of the thickness of a horse-hair. Two 

 days after, it swallowed sixty-two ; and would, I am per- 

 suaded, have eat as many every day could I have procured 

 them for it.* It spawns in May ; its flesh, although whole- 

 some and palatable, is seldom made use of as food. 



* Encyclopedia Brilannica, article Ichthyology. J. Wilson, Esq., Edin- 

 burgh. 



