BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 287 



linear, and from the centre of each shield radiate raised lines, 

 forming star-like figures. Pectoral rays equally slender. Snout 

 prolonged into a very thin, four-ridged process, ahout twice as 

 long as the orbit ; the ridges are beset with minute spines. Upper 

 parts nearly uniform brown. 



Tasmania. 



Order V. LOPEOBRANCEII. 



The gills are not laminated, but composed of small rounded lobes, 

 attached to the branchial arches. Gill-cover reduced to a large simple 

 plate. Air-bladder simple, tcithout pneumatic duct. A dermal 

 skeleton, composed of numerous pieces arranged in segments, replaces 

 more or less soft integuments. Muscular system not much developed. 

 Snout produced. Mouth terminal, small, toothless, formed as in 

 Acan thop teryg ians . 



Family SYNGNATHIDiE. 



Gill-openings reduced to a very small opening near the upper 

 posterior angle of the gill-cover. One soft dorsal fin ; no ventrals, 

 and sometimes one or more of the other fins also absent. 



First Group Syngnathina. 

 Tail, not prehensile, generally with a caudal fin. 



Genus Syngstathtts, Artedi. 



Body with the ridges more or less distinct, the dorsal edge of 

 the trunk not being continuous with that of the tail. Pectoral 

 fins well developed, caudal present. Dorsal fin opposite, or near 

 to vent. Humeral bones firmly united into the "breast ring." 

 Males with an egg pouch on the tail, the eggs being covered by 

 cutaneous folds. 



Temperate and Tropical Coasts. 



