KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



391 



tho nest, is promptly attacked; whilst, by way of 

 a more agreeable distraction, the artificer 

 sometimes dashes off in pursuit of the female, 

 seizing her by the fins, and testifying the ex- 

 tremely lively nature of his love. Sometimes 

 the materials collected, are gently shaken up, or 

 tugged asunder in various directions. Then 

 again, compressed; sometimes, the fish hangs, 

 head downwards, immediately over the nest, 

 with his body and fins in a curious stare of 

 vibratory motion. By these means, a strong 

 current of water is impelled over the structure, 

 apparently for the purpose of testing its firmness ; 

 and for the washing out any light loose matter 

 which might make the fabric of the nest unsafe. 

 Sometimes he draws his body slowly over the sur- 

 face of his work, apparently at the same time 

 emitting some glutinous fluid, which, perhaps, 

 assists in keeping the materials together, or 

 which, possibly, may be the milt — the same ope- 

 ration being performed after the deposition of 

 eggs by the female fish. 



" The nest, when complete, is of an irre- 

 gularly round form, measuring more than an 

 inch across: the central hole is roofed in, and 

 a small opening being constructed at each side 

 of the nest, a direct passage is formed through- 

 out. The nest is then carefully examined on 

 every side ; any loose ends are pushed in and 

 loaded with additional sand. The whole ar- 

 rangement having been thus carefully brought 

 to perfection, the female approaches the nest 

 for the purpose of depositing her eggs. As soon 

 as she appears, the male fish appears mad with 

 excitement; darts round her in every direction; 

 then flics to his nest and back again, betraying in 

 every possible way the most frantic delight. The 

 female then, passing through the nest, deposits 

 the spawn in the cavity prepared for it. 



" The cares of the male fish do not end here. 

 He remains assiduous in his attention to the nest; 

 sometimes shaking up the materials, sometimes 

 repairing it, sometimes putting his head into the 

 aperture at the top, to assure himself of the con- 

 tinued safety of his treasures; or, now and then 

 hanging head downwards over it, to drive a cur- 

 rent of water over the spawn, probably for the 

 purpose of free ventilation. In the midst of all 

 these occupations, he does not lose his chival- 

 rous propensities; but still defends his charge, — 

 dashing down like a true fish-at-arms upon any 

 stranger who intrudes on his domain. 



" But his assiduities increase when the young 

 fry begin to be hatched. Then, the combats be- 

 come more frequent, and more prolonged; being 

 conducted, according to one observer, with much 

 science. The sparring, in one instance observed 

 by Mr. Hancock of Newcastle, ' was very wary 

 and generally lasted a few seconds before the 

 combatants closed. The attack was usually 

 commenced by one quietly creeping up, watching 

 its opportunity. On this, the other, acting on 

 the defensive, Would turn its broadside to the 

 enemy, and raising the ventral spine, wait to 

 receive the onslaught. The assailant, intimidated 

 by this formidable demonstration, would then 

 slowly retreat, and, in its turn, had in the same 

 manner to defend itself. After thus advancing 

 and retreating for a few times, — one taking ad- 

 vantage of an unguarded moment, would rush 



in upon its opponent and butt at it with its head, 

 apparently endeavoring to bite. The other, ral- 

 lying, returned the compliment; and after dash- 

 ing at each other in this way two or three times 

 with extraordinary rapidity, the round would 

 terminate, and each fish retreat to its nest to 

 recommence its more immediate duties.' 



" The parent at this time rarely quits the ncst» 

 During the day, his attention to his offspring is 

 unwearied; during the night, he rests either upon 

 or close alongside the nest. When any members 

 of the young family venture for the first time to 

 swim out, they are instantly seized in the mouth 

 of their ever- watchful guardian, and are quietly 

 put back into the nest. Rarely do any of them, 

 at this time, escape his vigilance ; and when they 

 do, it is commonly their fate to fall into the jaws 

 of an enemy. They are devoured by fish of their 

 own species. 



"In about three days after the first appear- 

 ance of fry in the nest, all the eggs are hatched; 

 and the parent's labor for the ventilation of the 

 nest ceases. The young that were first hatched, 

 are then allowed more liberty; and the whole of 

 the family is, by degrees, accustomed to a less 

 restricted boundary. Eor some time, however, 

 they are all kept within certain limits, and 

 brought back in the mouth of their parent when- 

 ever they succeed in breaking out of bounds." 



Thus ends this short but eventful history of 

 " the Tittlebat." It is quite clear to us, that 

 somebody, ardent as ourselves, has had sleepless 

 nights, tracing his habits and collecting his 

 peculiarities. The loving manner in which they 

 are here recorded, warrants us in saying that the 

 chronicler has frequently indulged in the use of 

 the thread, — the stick — the crooked pins — the 

 bag of little worms — and the black wine-bottle 

 (broken). Boys and Tittlebats!— long may ye live 

 to keep each other company ! 



" LATIN" PRESCRIPTIONS. 



" Medicae prescriptions," says an eminent 

 physician, " are written in Latin ; and this 

 practice is not only ridiculous, it is likewise dan- 

 gerous. However capable physicians may be of 

 writing Latin, I am certain apothecaries' are 

 seldom able to read it ; and that dangerous 

 mistakes, in consequence of this, may often 

 happen. But supposing the apothecary ever 

 so capable of reading the physician's prescrip- 

 tion, he is generally otherwise employed; and 

 the business of making up prescriptions is 

 left entirely to the apprentice. By these means, 

 the greatest man in the kingdom,, even when 

 he employs a first-rate physician, in reality 

 trusts his life to the hands of an idle boy, who has 

 not only the chance of being very ignorant, but 

 likewise giddy and careless.^ 



[There is much herein for calm reflection. 

 What fools we all are, in some things !] 



Inquisitive people. — Whenever we fall in 

 with inquisitive people, we always foil them. 

 Our weapons are small, but deadly. They are, 



— " yes " and 



no 



