TEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 
89 
not very uncommonly seen a stickleback in every way resembling 
G. leiurus, but with a fourth spine developed between the last and penulti- 
mate dorsal : I cannot, however, believe it more than a variety of leiurus . 
“ In one locality I obtained several specimens of a stickleback with 7 to 
9 dorsal spines, apparently referrible to Pungitius ; but what I am chiefly 
desirous to ask you about is the existence of a species closely resembling 
the last, but without any traces of ventral spines. 
“ Of this I have taken in one locality several specimens.” 
The Ten-Spined Stickleback, Gasterosteus Pungitius , Linn. 
This diminutive fish is “ rare ” in Ireland, comparatively with the 3-spined 
species, as has already been noticed by Templeton.* * * § The localities whence 
I possess it are very few in number, viz. — pits excavated in brick-making 
on the banks of the Blackstaff river, near Belfast ; a marsh in the neigh- 
bourhood of Portaferry, County Down (W. T.) ; and La Bergerie, Queen’s 
County (Rev. B. J. Clarke) ; from this locality a considerable number were 
sent, and among them the largest native specimens I have seen, a few 
being If inch in length, and one having attained to 2f inches. Dr. Ball in- 
forms me that it inhabits the ponds at Glassnevin, Dublin, and that he has 
procured examples near Youghal. 
From the neighbourhood of Portpatrick, Scotland, this species has been 
sent me by Capt. Fayrer, R. N. For examples from the Thames I am in- 
debted to Mr. Yarrell ; and in the river Learn, near Leamington, War- 
wickshire, it has occurred to myself. 
In most of the above localities the 3-spined species was taken with the 
G. Pungitius. All of the latter, whether from brackish or fresh water, are 
smooth throughout the sides (G. Icecis, Cuv. Regne Animal, 2nd ed.f), 
and but a very few individuals present any appearance of a kepi on the 
sides of the tail. The dorsal spines vary from nine to eleven in number, 
and do so in examples of equal size from the same place. 
Mr. Jenyns, in his Manual, says of this species, that it is “ equally 
abundant with the G. aculeatus, and as generally distributed.” 
This observation is not applicable to Ireland. 
The Fifteen-Spined Stickleback, % Gasterosteus Spinachia, Linn. 
This species, differing from G. aculeatus and G. Pungitius in being 
strictly a marine fish, is found around the coast of Ireland. I possess ex- 
amples obtained at Rathlin in the North (by Dr. J. D. Marshall) ; on the 
coasts of Down (W. T.) and Antrim (by Mrs. Patterson) in the North- 
East; Bundoran in the West (W. T.) ; and Youghal in the South (by 
Dr. Ball). § 
On the southern coast, where sprat-fishing is regularly practised, the 
G. Spinachia is taken in greater quantity than in the North. Dr. Ball on 
one occasion knew as many to be captured with the sprat ( Clupea Sprat- 
tus ), at Youghal, as would “ fill a bushel,” and at Glendore and the South- 
West coast of Cork generally Dr. Allmanin forms me that it is often taken 
at the same time with this fish. On the coast of Down full-grown speci- 
mens have occasionally occurred to me when dredging, and likewise under 
stones between tide-marks, and one or two individuals may sometimes be 
* Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. i. New Series. 
t See also Hist, des Poiss. t. iv. p. 507. 
+ Horn-eel is a common name for this species in the North; it is called 
Horn-fish in Belfast market. 
§ Recently obtainable in quantity in mouth of the river Liffey. — R. Ball. 
