CLASS PISCES. 559 



Syngnathus l , L., 



Form a numerous genus, whose character consists in 

 a tubular muzzle, formed, like that of the Fistularidce , 

 by the elongation of the ethmoid, of the vomer, of the 

 tympanic bones, of the preopercula, of the suboper- 

 cula, &c, and terminated by an ordinary mouth, but 

 cleft almost vertically on its extremity. The aperture 

 for respiration is towards the nape ; they want the 

 ventrals. Their generative system has this peculiarity: 

 the eggs slip into, and disclose the young in a pouch 

 formed by a turgescence of the skin, under the belly 

 in some, in others under the base of the tail, and 

 which is cleft to allow the little ones to come forth. 



Syngnathus, (properly so called), 



Have the body very much elongated, very thin, and 

 its diameter varies but little through the entire length. 

 Several species are found in all our seas. 



There are some, which, beside their pectorals, have 

 a dorsal, a caudal, and an anal 2 . 



Others want the anal only 3 . 



1 From avv and yvddoq, (jaws united), a name composed by 

 Artedi, who believed the tube of the muzzle of these fishes to be 

 formed by the union of their jaws. 



2 Syngnathus typhle, L., Bl., 91. 1. Syng. acus, L., Bl. 91. 2. 



3 Syng. pelagicus, Risso, p. 63. Syng. Rondeletii, Laroche, 

 Ann. Mus. XIII. 5.5; viridis, Risso, 65 ; Rondelet, 229. 1. S. bar- 

 bams, Pennant, Brit. Zool., or rubescens, Risso. 



