THE SMELT 



fish swim near shore, in dense scliools. One species on the 



California coast is known as a " smelt," and is a good food fish. 



Tlie sticklebacks are small, elongated fishes, having an 



extremely slender tail and a large mouth. The doisal fin 



Fig. 295. — Gnsternsieus bixpinosus, the two-spined stickleback. Above, 

 nest with eggs, and male entering. Below, male depositing its milt on 

 the eggs. 



Figs. 294 and 295 are reproductions of water-color paintings in the Mu- 

 seum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College. 



is preceded by two or more large, isolated spines. The fishes 

 live in either fresh or brackish water. In some of the species 

 the male builds an elaborate nest from bits of aquatic plants, 

 firmly united by a special sticky secretion. The nest, which 



