. Annual report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Institution; Smithsonian Institution. Archives; Discoveries in science. Fig. 82.—Four-spined Stickleback {AikUck Fig. SZ.—ApdlcK. I'el- quadracus). After Storer. vis below. obtuse behind, lateral bars, and between them an unarmed belly. A third type, the Sphu(c/, have the pelvic bones loosely con- nected in front only and the ventral fins inserted farther l)ack than ill the others; the body is also more elongated, the snout extends forward in a somewhat tubiform manner, and the (h)rsal spines are more nu
. Annual report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Institution; Smithsonian Institution. Archives; Discoveries in science. Fig. 82.—Four-spined Stickleback {AikUck Fig. SZ.—ApdlcK. I'el- quadracus). After Storer. vis below. obtuse behind, lateral bars, and between them an unarmed belly. A third type, the Sphu(c/, have the pelvic bones loosely con- nected in front only and the ventral fins inserted farther l)ack than ill the others; the body is also more elongated, the snout extends forward in a somewhat tubiform manner, and the (h)rsal spines are more numerous. The most generally difjtributed and characteristic of the genera and that to which the largest species except Spinachia belong is Gas- terosteiis, or the three-spined sticklebacks. The body is comparatively high and has a fusiform contour, there are two large free spines on the back and a smaller one in front of the fin, and the ventral spines are considerably behind the roots of the pectorals and under the inter- space between the first and second dorsal spines. The most com- mon species—common to Europe and America—is the Gasterosteus aadentns. Almost any permanent body of water, however small, may har- bor some. In the words of Smitt, " It is often met with in collections of water so small and so isolated that it appears difficult, if not impossible, to explain the manner in which it has been conveyed thither, or the sources from which it derives its support. It is fondest of calm water, and in summer frequents shallow spots close inshore, especially where the sunshine has full play. Here it leads a merry life, and one may often see it leap several centimeters out of the water, while at other times it keeps still at the same spot, as though there were nothing in the world to disturb it. But in a moment it is all life and spirit and darts off with the speed of an arrow. In stormy weather it is tossed on the waves and has thus been cast even into a boat. T
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