CHAPTER IY. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES OF 
FISH. 
I propose here to notice very briefly some of the 
most important and best known of the Families, 
previous to the consideration of those species in 
detail, with which we are more especially concerned. 
Gcisterosteidce. Sticklebacks. 
These are eccentric little fishes, inhabiting both 
fresh and salt waters ; being found plentifully in 
England, their habits have been well observed and 
described by Couch, Yarrell, Wood, and other 
authors. Some of the species build nests for the 
protection of their eggs, and are very pugnacious 
in their defence. 
Percidce. Perch. 
This is a very extensive family, inhabiting fresh 
and salt water, in all climates. The common Perch 
of England, the Black Basse of America, are ex- 
amples. In Indian seas the family is represented by 
