SYNGNATHID^E. 263 



Nerophis ophidion, Kroyer, Danm. Fisk. iii, p. 716 ; Kaup, Lophobranchiate Fish, 

 p. 70 ; Yarrell, Brit. Fish. (ed. 3) ii, p. 416, c. fig. ; Malm. Wiegm. Arch. 1864, 

 p. 343 ; Giinther, Catal. viii, p. 192 ; Collett, Norges Fisk. p. 202 ; Winther, Prod. 

 Dan. Mar. p. 54 ; Canestrini, Faun, d'ltal. p. 145 ; A. Dumeril, ii, p. 602 ; 

 Moreau, Poiss. de la France, ii, p. 68. 



Scyphius littoralis, Guich. Expl. Alger, p. 119. 



Straight-nosed pipe-fish, Couch. Fish. Brit. Isles, iv, p. 363, pi. ccxli, f . 3. 



D. 34-38, osseous rings 28-29 + 65. 



Length of head 14^ to 16, of head and body 2 to 2j in the total length. 

 Eyes situated in the middle of the length of the head ; 2| diameters in the 

 postorbital length of the head and 1 apart. Snout turned very slightly 

 upwards. Fins dorsal well developed, situated upon 12 rings, 4 of which 

 belong to the body, which is from to |- of the total length, being shortest in 

 adults. Caudal fin absent. Body smooth. Colours greenish, numerous white 

 dots, spots, and blotches along the lower surface of the body ; a black band across 

 the opercle. 



Name. Stiff sea-adder, Cornwall. 



Habits. In Devonshire and Cornwall mostly found in moderately deep water, 

 but extending its range into the shallows, and is frequently captured under stones 

 between high and low- water mark. 



Uses. As Low observes, they have none ; are never eaten, while their coat 

 of mail prevents their being employed as bait, for no fish will snap at so 

 well-defended a creature. 



Habitat. Coast of Europe. Recorded from Banffshire (Harris). One taken 

 at Whitby, one at Scarborough, and one at Redcar (Yorkshire Vertebrata). An 

 example taken in the Norfolk estuary by Mr. King, June 19th, 1871. Most of 

 my specimens were received from Brighton at the Westminster Aquarium, and 

 given me by Mr. Carrington. Some I took at Teignmouth : is not uncommon in 

 Cornwall : has been taken at Swansea (Dillwyn). 



Ireland. Thompson records two examples from the coast of Down, one 11 the 

 other 8^ inches long. A few also from the counties of Antrim and Cork. 



This fish attains to 12 inches in length (Yarrell). 



3. Nerophis lumbriciformis, Plate CXLIV, fig. 6. 



Acus lumbriciformis aut serpentinus, Willugh. Hist. Pise. p. 160. Little 

 pipe-fish, Pennant, Brit. Zool. (Ed. 1776) iii, p. 141, pi. xxiii (Ed. 1812) iii, 

 p. 187, pi. xxvi. 



Syngnathus ophidion, Turton, Brit. Fauna, p. 117; Flem. Brit. An. p. 176. 



Syngnathus pelagicus, Donovan, Brit. Fish. pi. lviii ; Turton, 1. c. 



Syngnathus lumbriciformis, Yarrell, Brit. Fish. (ed. 1) ii, p. 340, c. fig. 

 (ed. 2) ii, p. 450 ; Fries, Wiegm. Arch. 1838, p. 249, t. vi, f. 5-8 ; Jenyns, Man. 

 p. 488 ; Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, iv, p. 241. 



Scyphius lumbriciformis, Nilss. Skan. Faun, iv, 695; White, p. 44; Malm, 

 Fauna, p. 598. 



Acus lumbriciformis, Swainson, ii, p. 333. 



Nerophis lumbriciformis, Kroyer, Danm. Fisk. iii, p. 723 ; Kaup, Lopho. p. 69 ; 

 Yarrell, Brit. Fishes (ed. 3) ii, p. 420; Giinther, Catal. viii, p. 193; Collett, 

 Norges Fiske, p. 203 ; Winther, Prod. Dan. Mar. p. 54 ; A. Dumeril, t. ii, 

 p. 604 ; Moreau, Poiss. de la France, ii, p. 65, f . 90. 



Worm pipe-fish, Couch, Fishes Brit. Isles, iv, p. 361, pi. ccxli, f. 2. 



D. 24-26, osseous rings 18-19 + 49. 



Length of head 8, of head and body 2f in the total length. Eyes situated in 

 the anterior half of the head, 2 diameters from the end of the snout and 1 

 diameter apart. The postorbital portion of the head equals half its length. 

 Snout somewhat turned up. Fins the dorsal situated on 8 rings, of which the 

 two first belong to the trunk. No caudal fin. Body covered with thin skin, 



