320 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



plates, of the same description with the preceding ; the carinae however, are less denticu- 

 lated than those on the dorsal ridges. The middle series on the abdomen is composed of 

 nineteen plates, obsoletely carinate under the pectorals, and terminating at the anal pouches. 

 The series of keeled plates on the sides of the abdomen pass into those on the sides posterior 

 to the vent ; and anterior to this part, are nineteen in number. Through the whole length of 

 the body and tail, the number of plates in the lateral and dorsal series amounts to fifty-nine or 

 sixty. It results from this, that the disposition of the carinated plates is seven-sided anterior 

 to the anal pouches. On the summit of the head, and on the nape, is a short series of three 

 keeled plates, subsiding into a slightly raised line between the eyes, and continued on the 

 upper surface of the prolonged upper jaw, nearly to its extremity. Head gently declivous 

 from the nape to the origin of the tubular jaw. Nostrils double, contiguous, and situated in a 

 triangular cavity anterior to the eyes; the posterior largest. Eyes large, 0"15 in diameter. 

 Jaws, measured from beneath the orbits, - 65 long. Head and jaws, measured to the bran- 

 chial aperture, are to the total length as one to seven and a half. Opercles narrow in front, 

 enlarged and rounded behind, with a series of moniliform raised lines radiating in a curved 

 direction from the upper anterior extremity. There is no medial raised line, as in the Euro- 

 pean species. 



The dorsal fin is 0"3 high, with a base an inch and a tenth long; it is composed of forty- 

 two simple slender and subequal rays. It arises opposite the sixteenth dorsal plate, and occu- 

 pies a little more than the space included between ten of these plates. The pectoral fins are 

 placed rather low down, arc slender and pointed, the tips reaching to the third dorsal plate. 

 The anal fin very minute, placed behind the pouch, and beneath the middle of the dorsal ; it 

 is composed of two, with the rudiments of a third ray, and is 0'15 long. Caudal fin broad 

 and rounded, with its membrane concave between the rays. 



Color. Ash brown above, light grey beneath ; the portion posterior to the anal pouches with 

 eight or nine light colored bands, each covering two plates. 



Length, 8 '6. 



Fin rays, D. 42 ; P. 15 ; A. 3 ; C. 12. 



This species appears to be closely allied to the S. peckianus of Storer, but differs in the 

 following particulars : The body of one species, in front of the dorsal fin, heptangular. Head 

 and rostrum proportionably longer; the greatest depth of the rostrum scarcely exceeding 

 twice the greatest depth of the head. The dorsal fin - 25 longer than the head, measured 

 to the posterior part of the opercle. The absence of the radial formula does not enable me 

 to carry the comparison farther. I suppose that Dr. Mitchill, under the erroneous name of 

 S. typhle, had our species in view. 



The Banded Pipe-fish is rarely taken alive. It occurs more usually thrown up on sea- 

 beaches, after heavy gales. It is of no use as an article of food. 



