THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 2G3 



situated they aro sharp. On the anterolateral ridges tliero aro no spines for the first two or three 

 rings, then they become well developed. The lateral ridges aro moderately spined in their whole 

 extent, except on the ring opposite to the last antero-lateral one. The postero-lateral ridges have 

 rather prominent spines at their upper rings, but they are not constant, neither are the number of 

 body rings, wliich vary one or two, more or less. The caudal is quadrangular, angles rather 

 thickened, scarcely spined. The anterior ridgo of the body and the two antero-lateral ones coalesce 

 at the anal fin. The postero-lateral ones commence separately from the occipital crest : passing out- 

 wards they form with the first ring an acute angle, and are continued downwards on either side of 

 the back for eight more rings, when they bulge outwards for three more, and on this portion the 

 dorsal fin is placed. All the sides and back of the body are slightly concave. 



Colours — Brownish, opercles slightly bluish, fins transparent. Iris white, with some brown 

 lines radiating from the pupil. 



Not very common in Malabar, except in rocky situations. Grows to eleven or twelve inches 

 in length ; is commonly known as the " Horse fish." 



Habitat — Seas of India, Malaysia, China, and Australia. 



Sub-Fam. SYNGNATHIDiE, Kawp. 



Group SYNGNATHINA, Eaup. 



Genus ICHTHYOCAMPUS, Kaup. 



Body lieptagoual : dorsal surface slightly or very concave, caudal nearly as wide as body. Head short, 

 with a shorter compressed sharp-ridged snout. Opercle round, swollen, higher than wide. Fins four or 

 five. The supero-lateral ridge of the back is continuous with that of the caudal region. The anus is 

 situated under the commencement of the dorsal fin. Males furnished with a caudal egg pouch, which is 

 open throughout. 



ICHTHYOCAMPUS PoNTICEEIANUS. 



Typhlus Ponticerianus, Bibi-on, Mus. Paris. 

 Ichthyocampus Ponticerianus, Kaup, Catal. Brit. Mus. p. 31. 



D. 24. P. 16-17. A. 2. C. 8. Body rings, 15. Caudal rings, 38 to 40. 



Length of head including snout \ of the total length : from the anterior margin of the orbit 

 to the end of the snout is very slightly longer than the distance from the anterior margin of the 

 orbit to the posterior extremity of the opercle. The length of the body is scarcely \ of the total 

 length, and not half so long as the caudal portion. 



Eyes — Round, diameter ^ of length of head, nearly 3 diameters from end of snout, ?, of a 

 diameter apart anteriorly, but more so posteriorly. 



The supero-lateral ridge of the back is continuous with that of the caudal portion : the infero- 

 lateral ridge of the body is continuous with the same on the caudal : the inferior margin of the 

 body has a very moderately jn'ominent ridge. The lateral line curves downwards in the last part 

 of its course, and then passes horizontally along the first caudal ring. 



Body moderately elongated, heptagonal, back nearly flat, the caudal portion being about two 

 and a third times longer than the body, which is slightly higher than it is wide. 



