BY E. R. WAITE. 221 



species, but I may remark that in all fresh specimens of S. spino- 

 sinsimus which I have seen, the seven cross-bars are a most 

 noticeable feature, and even in a dry state are frequently to be 

 traced by a darkening of the dorsal tubercles where the bars 

 existed. The inferior portion of the two preanal rings is very 

 bright orange during life, but becomes blackish after death. 



If adequately described tlie claims of S. fasciatus to be a distinct 

 species apjjear to be somewhat slight. Of the other species, a few 

 remarks based on recent observations may be of some interest. 



SOLENOGNATHUS HARDWICKII, Gray. 



(PI. XVII. figs. 2-4 and 7. ) 



D. 43-45. Osseous rings 26-28 + 55-60. Dorsal surface concave 

 or flat. Forehead convex or flat. Occipital scute simple, or but 

 slightly compound generally forming one large median, and two 

 smaller lateral lobes. Scutes rugose, but with scarcely any spines. 

 The lateral row of scutes does not terminate at the end of the 

 dorsal fin, but is to be traced to the extremity of the tail. Length 

 17 inches and beyond.* 



When referring to the Solenognathts in general, Giinther 

 writes: — t"All the specimens in the British Museum are un- 

 fortunately dried, so that the sexes cannot be ascertained ; but 

 although some of tliem must be of the male sex, there is no trace 

 of a pouch or other receptacle for the ova." 



As I have not access to Marensen's paper on the sexual charac- 

 teristics of the Syngnathi,J or any other paper dealing with the 

 subject, I write the following at the risk of having been 

 anticipated. 



In the species under consideration, the sexes are remarkably 

 distinct, as least in the adults. The tail of the male is greatly 



* Giinther says that S. hardicickii attains a 'ength of nearly two feet, 

 " Study of Fishes," p. 682. 



+ Brit. Mus. Cat. of Fishes, viii. p. 195. 

 jSitzungsb. der Natur. Gesel. " Isis," 1872, p. 1 

 16 



