24 
FISHES. 
parent^ who carries them into the security of 
deep water. 
The Pipe-fishes have a still more curious eco- 
nomy ; for the male here acts as wet-nurse. He 
is provided with a pouch, like that of the Mar- 
supial quadrupeds, into which he receives the 
spawn as it is deposited by his mate, and in which 
he carries it about until the young are hatched. 
But this is not all, for, as if to make the resem- 
blance to the Marsupials complete, the young 
are in the habit of retiring for shelter into the 
parental pouch, for some time after they are able 
to leave it and roam at their own pleasure. 
A species of Goby inhabiting the Mediter- 
ranean, is mentioned by Aristotle by the name of 
Phycis, as the only fish that makes a nest for the 
reception of its spawn. Modern naturalists con- 
firm the accuracy (but not the exclusiveness) of 
the observation. The nest is composed of sea- 
weeds and grass-wrack {Zostera ) ; and the male 
guards the female during the act of spawning, and 
protects the young when developed. 
Habits somewhat similar have been observed 
in certain species of the genus Callichtjiys^ in- 
habiting the rivers of Demerara; one of which 
forms a nest of grass, another of leaves. These 
fishes are provincially known by the name of 
Hassars ; the male and female remain by the nest 
till the young are hatched, with the solicitude of 
a hen guarding her eggs, and courageously attack 
any intruder. The negroes avail themselves of 
this boldness to capture them, for, on putting 
their hands into the water near the nest, and 
stirring it, the male Hassar, instead of retiring, 
* Yarrell, British Fishes, ii. 367 . 
