634 TELEOSTEI 



with the integuments of the body, forming a large pouch for the 

 reception of the eggs. 



Solenorhynchus, from the Upper Eocene of Xorth Italy, 

 probably belongs to this family, but its form is much more 

 elongate, and the exoskeleton is in regular rings. 



Fam. 10. Syngnathidae, Body more or less elongate, 

 protected by an exoskeleton forming rings. Anterior vertebrae 

 not elongate ; parapophyses strong, ankylosed to the exoskeleton ; 

 no ribs. Snout much produced, tubiform ; mouth small, terminal, 

 toothless ; no praeoperculum ; symplectic elongate ; gill - cleft 

 reduced to a very small opening near the upper posterior angle 

 of the gill-cover ; gill-lamellae small rounded lobes. A single 

 dorsal fin. Pectoral fins, if present, with very small pterygials ; 

 ventrals absent. Caudal fin often absent ; tail sometimes 

 prehensile. 



FIG. 386. Syngnathus pdagicus. 



This family embraces about 175 marine species, and is 

 represented over the greater part of the world. Principal genera : 

 Siphonostoma, Syngnathus, Penetopteryx, Ichthyocampus, Nan no- 

 campus, Osphyolax, Urocampus, Doryichthys, Coelonotus, Stiff ma - 

 tophorus, Nerophis, Protocampus, Gastrotoceus, Solenognathus, 

 Hippocampus, Acentronura, Phyllopteryx. 



Eemains are found in the Upper Eocene and Miocene beds 

 of Europe, and have been referred to Siphonostoma and Syngnathus, 

 and to the extinct genus Calamostoma. It is probable that 

 Pseudosyngnathus. from the Upper Eocene of Monte Bolca, is the 

 type of a distinct family. 



The best known members of this family are the Needle-Fish 

 or Pipe-Fish (Siphonostoma and Syngnathus} and Sea-Horse 

 (Hippocampus} of our coasts. The latter, like Amphisile, swims 

 with the body in a vertical position. In most species the male 

 takes charge of the eggs, in a pouch under the tail (Siphonostoma, 



