Wishing to examine the remains of the crab, I stepped aside for a few moments to procure my forceps, but when I again reached the vase, to my intense surprise the defunct animal was nowhere to be seen! I could only account for so singular a circumstance by supposing some of the larger crustaceans had taken advantage of my absence to complete the work of destruction, and therefore took no further notice of the matter at the time. I had often wished that some of my finny pets would deposit their spawn in the tank, and felt very anxious, if such an event did take place, that I might be near to witness it. But I was most anxious to watch the gradual development of the ova, and, if practicable, to become the fond owner of a host of infant 'fishlings.' Guess the thrill of pride, then, which ran through my veins when, on peering into my mimic rock-pool, after a brief absence from home, I observed the largest of my Blennies to be apparently in an 'interesting condition.' I watched and petted her many times daily, and fed her with every suitable dainty that could be thought of. Sometimes I took her in the palm of my hand, and with a fine camel-hair pencil stroked her glossy back. This operation evidently gave great delight to the little beauty; and after a while, when my hand was laid in the water, she gently floated off into her native element with almost swan-like grace. The law of nature being the same with this fish as with the Stickleback, I knew the nest, if there was to be one at all, should be built by the male. But as I could not detect any specimen of the 'sterner sex' among my pack, and there being no signs of preparation for the grand event about to take place, I felt in a manner compelled to carry out the nidifying task in my own humble way. Of course, I gave up all idea of 'weaving' a nest with bits of weed, stones, and marine glue; nor was such a style of structure a desideratum in the present instance, wanting, as I did, to take notes, in Paul Pry fashion, of the minutest particular that might occur within the building. The following was the plan I adopted. First was procured the exquisitely formed valve of a large _Pecten_, the interior of which was white and beautifully irridescent. This pretty cot, I said to myself, shall serve as a chamber for my _protégé_. The shell being deposited behind a piece of rock, in such a position that its side rested against the surface of the glass, I was thus enabled to watch what was going on within. Some fronds of sea-weed were trained around so as to form a kind of drapery. The Blenny, I am quite certain, knew perfectly well that all this care and preparation was on her account, for nearly the whole of each day she spent in the novel apartment extemporized for her accommodation. After a week had elapsed, she grew uneasy and pettish, was ever snapping at her companions, and hunting them about in all directions. On one occasion, however, she seemed to be uneasy, now clashing round