. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. CHAPTER LI THE ORDER OF HALF-GILLED FISHES liEMIBRANGim Because of the fact that a few very small fishes have less than their rightful number of gill-arches, and shoulder-girdles with one bone only instead of two, the Order of Half-Gilled Fishes has been created. The Sticklebacks are very small fishes, only a few inches in length, and derive their name from the formidable dorsal spines that stand upon the back in front of the dorsal fin. We have Two-Spined, Four-Spined and
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. CHAPTER LI THE ORDER OF HALF-GILLED FISHES liEMIBRANGim Because of the fact that a few very small fishes have less than their rightful number of gill-arches, and shoulder-girdles with one bone only instead of two, the Order of Half-Gilled Fishes has been created. The Sticklebacks are very small fishes, only a few inches in length, and derive their name from the formidable dorsal spines that stand upon the back in front of the dorsal fin. We have Two-Spined, Four-Spined and Ten-Spined observers say that the fish first brings a few stems and bits of vegetation, and by means of ' his gelatinous secretion practically ties them fast to the upright stalks, to use as a foundation. The fish then proceeds to exude its secretion and dispose it in commingling rings, vertically, around a space sufficiently large for the female Stickleback to pass through. In a manner noth- ing short of marvellous, a hood-like nest is spun, of the fish's own secretion, which well retains its. Drawn by J. Cabter Beard. TWO-SPINED STICKLEBACK. Sticklebacks, all three being found in brackish water along the Atlantic coast from Cape Ann to Kew .Jersey. All the Sticklebacks are celebrated for their nest-building habits. The abdomen of the male fish has been provided with a large gland which is "filled with a clear secretion which coagulates into threads" when it comes in contact with water. At first the fluid is colorless, but after contact with water it becomes whitish, and its many fibres hang together hke strings of spa- ghetti. (Ryder.) The entire work of nest-building is performed by the male Stickleback. It begins by selecting a bottom situation, in a gentle current, wherein the nest can be attached to two or more stems of growing vegetation, and anchored fast. Some shape for some weeks. In this the female de- posits her eggs, all the time jealously watched by the
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