264 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



Snout very slightly elevated in its anterior third : interorbital space widest posteriorly, with 

 a sharp low mesial longitudinal ridge passing from between the centre of the orbits along the first 

 fourth of the snout : the orbit with a blunt elevation in the middle of its anterior margin. A very 

 prominent sharp horizontal crest across the opercle. 



Fins — The dorsal is situated on the third to the eighth caudal rings (from the second to the 

 seventh, according to Dr. Kaup) : pectoral short, but with a broad base : anal rays minute : caudal 

 rounded at its extremity, and its length equals twice that of the orbit. 



Rings — With smooth edges, the divisions between each being distinct. 



Colours — Deep brown, with one — occasionally two — milk-white spots in the centre of each 

 body ring along the infero-lateral ridge : the lower surface of the snout dotted with black spots. 

 Dorsal fin yellow, pectoral and caudal leaden colour. Eye greenish blue. 



This resembles the Syngnathus argyrostictus, but is easily recognised from it, because its 

 supero-lateral ridges are continuous, its chest is not so acutely keeled, and it has a row of milk- 

 white spots along the infero-lateral ridge of the body. 



Common in Malabar, where it grows to about five inches in length. 



Habitat — Seas and estuaries of India and Malaysia. 



Genus SYNGNATHUS, Linn. 



Body heptagonal, dorsal surface flat or slightly concave, never much compressed or arched. No spines 

 on snout. Fins four or five ; the dorsal stands on a level with the back, its base not being elevated. The 

 number of body rings never amounts to twenty-seven. The supero-lateral ridge of the back is never con- 

 tinuous with that of the tail. Males furnished with a caudal egg pouch, which is open throughout. 



Syngnathus argyrostictus. 



Syngnathus argyrostictus, Kuhl & v. Eass. ; Kaup, Catal. Brit. Mus. p. 33. 

 Syngnathus spicifer, Biippell, Neue Wirbelth. 



D. 25-27. P. 16. A. 2. C. 8. Body rings, 15 to 16. Caudal rings, 40 to 41. 



Length of head, including snout, ^ T of the total length : from the anterior margin of the orbit 

 to the end of the snout, equals the distance from the anterior margin of the orbit to the posterior 

 extremity of the opercle. The length of the body is ^ of the total length, and not \ as long as 

 the caudal portion. 



Eyes — Bather oval, nearly \ of the total length of the head, nearly 2 diameters from end of 

 snout, f of a diameter apart. 



The supero-lateral ridge of the back extends to the fourth caudal ring but is not continuous 

 with the supero-lateral ridge of the caudal which ends opposite to the anterior extremity of the 

 root of the dorsal fin. The infero-lateral ridge of the body is continuous with that of the tail. 

 The inferior margin of the body has a very acute and prominent ridge. The lateral line arches 

 downwards in the last two rings of its course and ends at the inferior margin of the first caudal 

 ring. 



Body moderately elongated, heptagonal, the caudal portion above twice the length of that of 

 the body : the height of which is equal to about twice its width. 



Snout elevated in its anterior half, interorbital space widest posteriorly, having a lateral ridge 



