170 
THREE-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 
suppose, is an indication tliat they are approachinj? to life. In 
inahing the nest 1 observed that the hsh used an nnnsnal 
degree of force when conveying the material to its destination. 
W^hen the fish was about an inch from the nest, it suddenly 
darted at the spot, and left the tiny fragment in its place, after 
which it M'ould be engaged for half a minute in adjusting it. 
The nest, when taken up, did not separate, but hung together 
like a piece of wool.” The place chosen by these fishes for 
their nests is where the ground forms an inclined plane, and 
in about six inches of water. 
Individuals of these fishes were placed in a glass vessel, 
that their proceedings in forming the nest and bringing forward 
the young might be the more conveniently observed. A nest 
was accordingly formed, but unfortunately the female died 
soon after the process of shedding the roe had been perfected. 
The male was seen to be often engaged in throwing a cur- 
rent of water through the nest, and in an early part of the 
proceeding he often rubbed his body over it, which was 
supposed to be for the purpose of shedding the milt. The 
eggs, in number about fifty, were brought to life in three 
weeks, and at first the young appeared transparent. The 
male, which, in other instances also, seemed to have the sole 
care and protection of the brood, attended upon them care- 
fully j and if any one of them trespassed beyond the allotted 
bounds, he followed and brought the truant back in his 
mouth, and again replaced it in or near the nest. 
The Swedish naturalist Eckstrom gives, as the result of his 
observation, a diifercnt account from this; and it will be worthy 
of inquiry whether the proceeding may be different in different 
countries. As soon, says he, as the nest is ready, the male 
dresses himself in his finest colours, which are blue, green, 
yellow, and silver; and swimming among the shoals of females 
which are assembled in the neighbourhood ready to deposit 
their roe, he lures one of them into the little arbour; and when 
she has spawned he proceeds to entice another, until at last he 
has accumulated a large number of eggs; over which he keeps a 
strict guard until they are hatched, which is in about three 
weeks; and even after this his care does not cease, for he is 
seen even to collect food and bring it within their reach. 
It is thus that protection of the young is the important 
