FAMILY " WITH HARD CHEEKS." 89 



natural size. The specimens examined were taken in 

 Scotland ; and, so far as I am aware, none are recorded to 

 have been captured south of the Tweed. They have all the 

 varied colours of the other species of the genus, except the 

 bright red and scarlet sometimes found in the males. 



The fin-rays are : D. IV.+8 : P. 9 : V. 1 : A. 1+8 : C. 12. 



THE TEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 



( Gasterostens pungitiies *.) 



The Ten-spined Stickleback varies in length from 1^ to 

 2J inches, and, though not nearly so numerous as the 

 Three-spined species, is found in most of the creeks near 

 the British coasts, as well as in many of our rivers, up 

 which it is supposed to migrate in shoals in the spring. It 

 is readily distinguished from all other species by the nine 

 or ten spines on the back, and by its sides being perfectly 

 smooth, without any armour-plates. The general colour 

 is yellowish or olive-green on the back; sides and belly 



* pungitius, from pungo, I prick, Lat. 



