450 SYNGNATHID.E. 



LOPHOBRANCHIL SYNGNATHIDM. 



THE WORM PIPE-FISH. 



Syngnathus lumbriciformis, YARRELL. 



ACUS ,, WlLLUGHBY, p. 160. 



Si/ngnathus ophidian, Little Pipe-jistt, PENN. Brit. Zool. vol. iii. p. 187, 



pi. 26, No. 22. 

 ,, ,, ,, FLEM. Brit. An. p. 176, sp.39. 



THE WORM-LIKE PIPE-FISH is the smallest of the British 

 species, and is taken on various parts of the coast. Mr. Low 

 describes it as found in Orkney under stones ; and Mr. Couch 

 finds it in similar situations on the coast of Cornwall, where 

 it is considered common. Mr. Thompson has recorded it as 

 occurring in three or four different localities on the coast of 

 Ireland. 



Pennant has figured this species with the ova attached to 

 the under and external surface of the abdomen, as in the 

 species last described. There is little doubt that the young 

 are produced in the same mode as in the other species be- 

 longing to this division of the genus, and that the same 

 sexual peculiarities exist. Pennant, not aware of the singular 

 interchange which takes place, says, very naturally, " On the 

 belly of the female is a long hollow, to which adhere the 

 eggs, disposed in three rows." 



This species does not exceed five inches or five inches and 

 a half in length, and the wood-engraving at the head of the 



