Fishes. 4411 



the orifice, the body being inclined upwards, at an angle of about 

 45°, fanning it with the pectoral fins, aided by a lateral motion of the 

 tail. This curious manoeuvre was apparently for the purpose, so to 

 speak, of ventilating the spawn, which could be distinctly seen through 

 the orifice at the top ; at least, by this means, a current of water was 

 made to set in towards the nest, as was rendered perfectly evident by 

 the agitation of particles of matter attached to it. This fanning or 

 ventilating process was repeated, at short intervals, during the day, 

 and every day until the spawn was hatched, to accomplish which took 

 between two and three weeks. 



Only one nest contained spawn ; the other was torn in pieces, and 

 the materials scattered about, in the hope that we might have the 

 pleasure of seeing it reconstructed. In this we were not disappointed ; 

 the fish immediately began to form a new nest in exactly the same 

 spot, and by the following day it was more than half completed. It 

 took a mouthful at a time, and was at some pains in adjusting each 

 load, spreading the materials out, and pressing them down with its 

 mouth ; it then drew its body slowly over the whole, vibrating, all the 

 time, in the same peculiar manner as when it forced its way through 

 the nest as before stated.* 



On the 13th of June, the hole at the top of the fruitful nest was 

 found to be much enlarged, so that the entire mass of spawn was ex- 

 posed to view ; and, on looking attentively, a few of the newly hatched 

 fry were seen flitting about the walls of the nest. The assiduity of 

 the parent was now greatly increased ; it never left the spot ; by night 

 it rested either on the nest or by its side, and during day nothing was 

 allowed to approach. It fiercely seized a quill that was passed down 

 towards the object of its solicitude, with such vigour that the shock 

 of attack was distinctly felt by the hand. Combats with its com- 

 panions became more frequent; but its ire was chiefly directed 

 against its neighbour, which, like itself, was engaged in parental du- 

 ties. This having also a nest to defend, never shrank from the con- 

 flict, and the encounters were therefore fierce and prolonged ; but, 

 nevertheless, conducted with all due caution, and apparently with 

 much science, as the gentlemen of the ring would express it. The 

 sparring was very wary, and generally lasted a few seconds before the 

 combatants closed. The attack was usually commenced by one 



* It is probable that it is the male fish which builds and guards the nest; and, if 

 so, it might perhaps be shedding the milt when dragging its body over and through the 

 nest in the manner described. 



