LOPHOBRANCHII. 127 



foot in length. It appears, in consequence of a 

 vertical cleft through the middle of the jaws, to 

 have two large upper and lower front teeth. 



ORDER v. — LOPHOBRANCHII. 



The branchiae of this order are of a peculiar 

 character, and well worth the minute examination 

 of those who desire an accurate knowledge of the 

 anatomy of fishes. Instead of being pectinated, they 

 are disposed in tufted pairs on the margins of the 

 branchial curves. Above these, is the opercukmi ; 

 covering and attached all round, but having a for- 

 amen for the w^ater to pass out through the tufts, 

 from the mouth. 



Such as are found in this section of the country, 

 are small, four-sided, and harmless. Their eggs 

 are floated onward through the oviducts, to be 

 lodged in a little sac, constituted of the common 

 skin, put upon the stretch, by their presence, un- 

 der the tail in some, and under the belly in others 

 — out of which the young escape, when they are 

 hatched. 



GEN. SYNGNATHUS. 



Little-Pipe Fish, — Si/ngnathiis Typlih. As 

 we have in no instance seen two of these fishes 



