354 GREATER PIPEFISH. 



muscles, and elastic ligaments; by the action of which the long 

 bones which lie along the under part can be separated so as 

 to enlarge the space between them to nearly twice its ordinary 

 extent; with a corresponding action on the true jaws; while 

 another portion of the mechanism lays hold of the substance 

 to be swallowed, and passes it backward into the stomach. 



This fish is retentive of life; and its usual haunts are in 

 harbours or bays; but fresh water appears to be hurtful to it. 

 It is sometimes found also in the open sea at the depth of 

 several fathoms, and often passes through such from one harbour 

 to another. 



The usual length is about a fot^t or fifteen inches, and it is 

 two inches round at the thickest part; the snout lengthened, 

 rather more than an inch before the eyes; and to the firm 

 portion of the gill-cover there is one seventh of the length of 

 the body. Mouth without visible teeth. Eyes large, nostrils 

 close before them. The head rises above the eye, and is there 

 flat; the nape formed of two elevated plates; plate of the gill- 

 covers large, oval posteriorly. Body lengthened, in the female 

 tapering behind the dorsal fin, in the male behind the marsupial 

 pouch; covered with a series of plates, which are twenty to 

 the vent and from thence forty-four to the tail; forming angular 

 lines which become more deaidedly marked after death; six, or 

 including the ridge of the back, seven to the hindmost border 

 of the dorsal fin, and beyond this the body is square. The 

 vent below the first rays of the dorsal fin. The pectoral fin 

 broad, with twelve rays; the dorsal with forty-one or two; the 

 tail round, ten rays; anal or ventral six. Colour rich yellowish 

 brown, often in bands of lighter and darker. 



An irregularity of formation has been observed in this fish, 

 which might almost lead to the idea of a separate species. 

 Instead of the usual shape of the tail with several rays, there 

 were only two firm rays united by a narroAv and slender mem- 

 brane; and the ventral fin was small, with only two rays; but 

 there were no marks of violence. 



I find the air-bladder of this fish of curious structure; the 

 anterior half being obscurely transparent, ending in a defined 

 line, and the remainder altogether clear; these two portions 

 being separated by a membranous septum, as if their functions 

 were altogether different. 



