THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



29 



itetles and other insects, and the hairs of animals, 

 ive many characteristics in common. We have 

 i on good authority, that, by scraping hairs, 

 : nute scales can be obtained ; and, still more 

 markable, many of them resemble those from 

 it wings of Butterflies, appearing in some cases 

 i possess the little pedicle observed in lepidop- 

 l ous scales. 



J At the present time th;n, when, comparatively 

 baking, little is to be done out of doors in the 

 Instigation of insect-life, I would confidently 

 j:ommend to those who possess a microscope, — 

 id those who do not should lose no time in 

 locuring one, for they may now be obtaine 1 at 

 most a nominal sum, — the scales of lepidoptera 

 id coleoptera as a study from which they will 

 I rive truly profitable amusement. 



FISHES' NESTS. 



E have been telling you about birds' nests, for 

 s last three weeks. Let us take a new subject 

 once, and speak of Fishes' Nests. Who ever 

 ard tell of such a thing ! We doubt much if one 

 a thousand ever saw the nest of a fish, yet it is a 

 :t that one of ^our commonest fishes, the little 

 iree-spined Stickleback builds a nest in which to 

 posit its spawn. We believe all the sticklebacks 

 so, but this inhabitant of every little stream 

 d pool, is so well known to all of you, we will 

 nfine our remarks to it. When the spawning 

 ason approaches the male Stickleback puts on his 

 ptial garb, and the ordinary dull color of the fish 

 changed to the most brilliant rosy, especially on the 

 • .; dly and towards the head. The female becomes 

 • little pale in color, but does not assume the 

 ■j iautiful tints of the male, and indeed, she seems 

 have but little to do in what is to follow. At 

 is season the male, much less in size, as well 

 more brightly colored than the female, becomes 

 ore active, and on him devolves, the sole care of 

 . .i lecting a site for the nest, the work to be done 

 building it, and guarding it afterwards. In a 

 )ol of water, not so much care is needed in deci- 

 .. ng where the nest shall be, but in a stream it is 

 :cessary that it should be so placed, as to be 

 fe against a sudden rush of water, yet not likely 

 be left dry, should the stream fall very low. 

 he site being selected, the little fish commences 

 ■ dig out the foundation. He rushes down upon 



the place as swiftly as he can, then remaining 

 stationary, will vibrate his fins with great rapidity, 

 s ometimes turning round and round with his head 

 down to the centre. This is doubtless to consoli- 

 date the mud at the bottom, and drive off the loose 

 particles. When this is done to his satisfaction he 

 begins to build, with fragments of stick, stalks of 

 water plants, or any loose material sufficiently 

 soaked with water to remain at the bottom. These 

 he puts together with great care, pushing one in 

 among the others, till he is satisfied it will do, 

 bringing mud or sand in his mouth to make all 

 firm, and pressing his body against it, as it goes on, 

 that the slime exuding from it, may add to the 

 stability of the structure. Having completed it, 

 which he does in an incredibly short time, he con- 

 ducts to it the female of his choice, who deposits 

 her spawn, and leaves the rest to him. The young 

 fish hatch in something less than a fortnight. At 

 first they have the yolk-bag attached to th?m, and 

 during this period they remain in the nest. Then 

 they disperse, and his duties are over. 



From the time of the selection of a site, until 

 the ' young leave the nest, he keeps guard most 

 carefully, driving off even the most innocent intru- 

 der, and if he cannot make them understand, as 

 when a caddis or even a snail comes too near, he 

 will take the offender in his mouth, if he is able, and 

 remove it to a respectable distance. In an aqua*, 

 rium all this may very readily be observed. In a 

 pond or stream it is of course not so easy to 

 watch the entire process. For those who wish to 

 see every part of the interesting operation, we re- 

 commend that a single pair be placed in your 

 aquarium, which during the time should contain 

 nothing but the most inoffensive animals. 



"In the natural world there are no objects, 

 however common and familiar, that cannot reveal 

 an interesting story if we are but intelligent enough 

 to question nature in a right manner. Many of 

 you are occupied in manufacturing pursuits, and, 

 from time to time, your workshops receive the 

 visits of strangers, who look with intelligent 

 interest upon the processes in which you are en- 

 gaged, and upon the final products of your labours. 

 I invite you, in like manner, to visit nature's 

 workshop. She, too, is a fellow-labourer with 

 yourselves ; only, unlike you, she needs no rest, 

 but works on, with untiring energy, day and night, 

 summer and winter." — Prof. Williamson. 



