60 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



slow, being" chiefly brought about by the rapid undulating- 

 motion of the dorsal fin just referred to this being assisted 

 in some measure in the Pipe-Fishes by lashing movements 

 of the body and tail. It is a very funny sight to see a 

 little Sea-Horse, apparently standing up in the water, look- 

 ing so prim with its solemn, long-drawn-out face, and moving 

 along without there being (unless one looks closely) any 

 sign of the motive power. Upon an examination of these 

 fishes, it will be found that they are enveloped in a kind 

 of cuirass, formed of bony segments or rings, which are 

 to a greater or lesser extent, according to the species, 

 moveable upon one another; allowing a certain amount of 

 body motion, even in the most rigid of the Sea-Horses. 

 'The attitudes and movements of the Sea-Horses are emi- 

 nently characteristic. The most frequent is a state of rest, 

 with the tail wound around the stem of a plant or some 

 other substance, and the body is then carried nearly or quite 

 erect. Such is the most frequent position ; but notwith- 

 standing the apparent rigidity of the cuirass, almost every 

 other attitude consistent with such a form, may be assumed. 

 The body may be thrown outward at various angles and 

 even downward and the tail wound around a plant in a 

 double coil. Once in a while, one eye may roll toward you, 

 while another may be passive or look backward or in an 

 opposite direction. It becomes obvious that the little fish 

 can move its eyes independently of each other, and in 

 entirely different ways." 



"A comical effect is produced by the way in which the 

 little fishes peer at some object ; reminding one of the 

 actions of a very near-sighted person." (Gill.) 



Some of the Sea-Horses are able to make a sharp little 

 snapping sound with the mouth, somewhat similar to that 

 produced by the common "Nipper-Prawn" (Alpheus) of 

 Port Jackson. In the latter case, however, the sound is 

 made by the sudden closing of the larger nipper. 



Now one of the most surprising things in connection 

 with this remarkable family of fishes, is that the males are 

 provided with a kind of pouch (in some species there is only 

 a broad groove) in which the eggs are hatched after being 

 deposited by the female. The males take full charge of 



