THE FIFTEEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 199 



scales, slightly carinated on the outer surface, marked by a few 

 granulated and striated lines ; dorsal spines commencing over the 

 middle of the scapular plate, fifteen in number, all of equal length, the 

 last excepted, which is rather longer and more curved than the pre- 

 ceding ones. Dorsal fin commencing immediately over the vent, and 

 ending in a line a little before the termination of the anal fin ; ventral 

 fin commencing close behind the end of the pectorals, composed of 

 two rays, the first strong and spiny, the other, which is placed behind, 

 soft and flexible ; under jaw the longest, both jaws furnished with a 

 number of small teeth, none on the vomer or palatines, those in front 

 are placed in a row about four in number, stouter and more bent than 

 the others. Eyes large, situated nearer the posterior margin of the 

 operculum than to the point of the snout ; a strong bent spine close 

 behind the vent corresponding in size to the last dorsal spine. Num- 

 ber of fin rays — 



D7;P11;V2;A7;C12; Branchial rays 3. 



This species of stickleback is considered by Mr Couch 

 to be common on the coast of Cornwall, where, in the sum- 

 mer months, considerable numbers of fry are seen swimming 

 about at the margin of the sea. I have observed it on the 

 coast of Devon as well as in many places on the west and 

 east coasts of Scotland, and according to Mr Low it is found 

 very frequent in the Orkneys. Perhaps, in no part of the 

 British coast do they exist in greater numbers than on 

 the coast of Berwick-upon-Tweed ; there have I seen in 

 the month of June, in some of the pools which had been 

 left by the tide, as many as a hundred young ones together, 

 taking refuge under the large blades of \fuci which they de- 

 light to frequent. At this time the fry are from an inch to 

 an inch and a half in length, the parent fish which grows 

 to the length of five inches or more keeping far in the deep. 

 On the return of the tide specimens of large size are occa- 

 sionally taken in the salmon nets at the mouth of the Tweed ; 

 but are never found to ascend the river higher than brackish 

 water. These fish are not common in the Firth of Forth, 

 although it seems a -place well calculated for their habits, 

 in containing largo quantities ofji/ci, more particularly 



