230 Phthinobranchii 
Lord, from observations on Gasterosteus cataphractus on Van- 
couver Island, although the source of his secretion was mis- 
understood: 
“The site is generally amongst the stems of aquatic plants, 
where the water always flows but not too swiftly. He first 
begins by carrying small bits of green material which he nips 
off the stalks and tugs from out the bottom and sides of the 
bank; these he attaches by some glutinous material, that he 
clearly has the power of secreting, to the different stems destined 
as pillars for his building. During this operation he swims 
against the work already done, splashes about, and seems 
to test its durability and strength; rubs himself against the 
tiny kind of platform, scrapes the slimy mucus from his sides 
to mix with and act as mortar for his vegetable bricks. Then 
he thrusts his nose into the sand at the bottom, and, bringing 
a mouthful, scatters it over the foundation; this is repeated 
until enough has been thrown on to weight the slender fabric 
down and give it substance and stability. Then more twists, 
turns, and splashings to test the firm adherence of all the 
materials that are intended to constitute the foundation of 
the house that has yet to be erected on it. The nest, or nursery, 
when completed is a hollow, somewhat rounded, barrel-shaped 
structure worked together much in the same way as the plat- 
form fastened to the water-plants; the whole firmly glued 
together by the viscous secretion scraped from off the body. 
The inside is made as smooth as possible by a kind of plastering 
system; the little architect continually goes in, then, turning 
round and round, works the mucus from his body on to the 
inner sides of the nest, where it hardens like tough varnish. 
There are two apertures, smooth and symmetrical as the hole 
leading into a wren’s nest, and not unlike it. 
“All this laborious work is done entirely by the male fish, 
and when completed he goes a-wooing. Watch him as he 
swims towards a group of the fair sex enjoying themselves 
amidst the water-plants arrayed in his best and _ brightest 
livery, all smiles and amiability; steadily and in the most 
approved style of stickleback love-making this young and 
wealthy bachelor approaches the object of his affections, most 
likely tells her all about his house and its comforts, hints 
