OH, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FRESH-WATER PLANTS. 
It is composed of four concave scales turned up¬ 
wards ; and the opportunity of observing this curious 
creature was deemed, by the enthusiastic naturalist 
I am quoting, a more interesting event than even 
the capture of the fifteen-spined Stickleback itself. 
The first three species of Sticklebacks, just described, 
have been considered by some as merely accidental 
varieties ; and none of these ever exceed two and a 
half inches in length. 
Some of the habits of these interesting little 
fish are very graphically described by a writer in 
Loudon’s “ Magazine of Natural History.” A 
number being placed, as he informs us, in a 
wooden vessel of considerable size, at first swam 
about in a shoal, as if exploring the nature and 
capacities of their new habitation. Suddenly, one 
of the party took possession of a particular corner, 
and succeeded in heating off his companions from 
that part of the domain, hirst, however, a furious 
battle ensued, the combatants swimming round each 
other, fencing with the utmost skill, each watch¬ 
ing for an opportunity to dash at his opponent with 
his sharp spines fully extended, or failing such an 
opportunity, resorting to the warfare of the mouth. 
Such a contest frequently lasts several minutes 
before either gives way. When one at last retires, 
71 
