58. SYNGNATHIDyE SIPIIOSTOMA. H83 



minute, close behind vent; pectorals developed, short and rather broad. 

 Male fishes with an egg-pouch along the under side of the tail, formed 

 by two cutaneous folds, and splitting lengthwise to extrude the young 

 fishes. Species numerous, inhabiting all warm seas; abounding in bays 

 among the sea- weeds, and entering the rivers. The species of this 

 genus are subject to many variations, and their proper discrimination 

 is very difficult. (^ov, tube; ar6rj.a, mouth.) 



a. Breast shields not covered by skin; Idtwer jaw projecting. (Siphostoma.) 

 b. Atlantic coast species. 



614. , fiascwm (Storer) J. & G. Common Ptpc-fish. 



Olivaceous; sides mottled and blotched as in other species; base of 

 dorsal with darker spots. Muzzle shorter than the rest of the head. 

 Occiput usually more or less keeled. Dorsal fin longer than the head, 

 covering 4 + 5 rings. Distance from snout to dorsal 3 in total length. 

 Belly in females scarcely carinate. Tail one-third longer than rest of 

 body. Lateral line and upper caudal edge not continuous. Head 9. 

 D. 35-40. Rings 18+37. L. 10. Atlantic coast, common northward; 

 described from specimens from Wood's Holl, Mass. 



(Syngnathus fuscus Storer, Kept. Fish. 'Mass. 1838, 102: Siphonostoma fuscum Jor. & 

 Gilb. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mas. 1889, 22: Syngnathus peckianus Storer, 1. c. 1G3: Syngnathus 

 peckianus Guuther, viii, 157: Syngnathus fasciatus and viridcscens DeKay, New York 

 Fauna, Fish. 319-321: ? Synynathus ajjinis* Gtinther, viii, 1G4; from Louisiana. ) 



615. S. louisiarare (Giiuthcr) J. & G. 



Color of other species; base of dorsal spotted. Muzzle longest in 

 females, much longer than the rest of the head. Occiput somewhat 

 keeled. Dorsal fin shorter than the head, on 3+5 rings. Distance 

 from snout to dorsal 2 in total length. Belly in females scarcely 



*S. affinis (Giinther) J. & G. 



"The length of the snout is a little less than that of the remaining part of the head. 

 Head nearly one-ninth of the total length. A distinct ridge runs along the median 

 line of the snout and nuchal shields. Supraorbital ridge continued over the temples. 

 Anterior part of the operculum with a faint ridge. Shields without spines. Tail 

 longer than body. Caudal pouch half as long as the body. Lateral line interrupted. 

 Vent below the posterior third of the dorsal, which occupies ( J rings, 5 of which are 

 body-rings. Caudal fin well developed ; anal im rudimentary in the male. Back 

 with indistinct brown cross-bars; a brown band from the eye along the snout." 

 Total length 6 inches. Head 10 lines. Trunk If inch. Length to origin of dorsal 

 fin 2 inches. Louisiana. (G-iinther.) 



Another form or species has the body stouter and the color darker, the dorsal in the 

 females very high, and blackish, with paler spots. Muzzle about equal to the rest of 

 the head. Occiput somewhat carinated. Dorsal fin shorter than the head, on 3 + 5 

 rings. Distance from* snout to dorsal 2| in length. Belly in the females with a sharp 

 black carina. Head 7. D. 30-31. Rings 15 + 33. Saint John's River, Florida. 



(Siphonostoma sp. Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880, 22.) 



