SEA-HORSES. 



221 



Fig. 151. 



horse. The two species are Hippocampus brevirostris 

 and H. ramulosus, the latter much rarer than the 

 former. At first there was experienced a great diffi- 

 culty in getting proper food for these objects, but it is 

 now partly overcome. Their tails are prehensile, and 

 may be seen twisted round some coralline or other 

 marine object. They seem to possess the means of 

 communicating with one another by means of sound, 

 according to the observations of Mr. Saville-Kent at 

 the Manchester Aquarium, where one species has 

 bred.* These communicating sounds 

 are short, snapping noises, produced by 

 a complex muscular contraction and 

 sudden expansion of the lower jaw. 

 When moving about, the sea-horses 

 employ only their transparent, fan- 

 shaped, dorsal fins, which work them 

 along on the principle of the screw-pro- 

 peller, the movement being quite ryth- 

 mical, owing to each of the fin rays 

 striking the water in succession. Its 

 favourite food is the minute opossum 

 shrimp (Mysis chameleon), and this it 

 will give chase to in a very stately fashion, uncoiling 

 its prehensile tail, and moving towards its prey by 

 means of the propelling action of the dorsal fin, with 

 never-failing dexterity. When within half an inch of 



* Upwards of a thousand young Hippocampi were recently bred in 

 the Southport Aquarium. 



Sea-horse 



{Hippocampus 

 brevirostris). 



