286 POPULAR HISTORY OF THE AQUARIUM. 



Syngnathus LUMBRICIFORMIS. 

 The Worm Vipe-fish has a slender, eel-like body, about 

 five inches in length. The head is large, terminating in a 

 turned-up nozzle. It is marbled on the sides with spots 

 of white, edged with black lines ; the neck is marked in 

 the same manner ; the general colour of the body being 

 of a brownish-yellow, becoming silvery under the tail. But 

 the full beauty of the animal can only be explained by a 

 series of details which would be too tedious to read. Mr. 

 Gosse remarks, that " in captivity the manners of this pretty 

 little fish are amusing and engaging. Its beautiful eyes 

 move independently of each other, which gives a curious 

 effect as you watch its little face through a lens ; one eye 

 being directed towards your face, with a quick glance of 

 apparent intelligence, while the other is either at rest, or 

 thrown hither and thither at various other objects. I was 

 strongly reminded of that strange reptile, the Chameleon." 

 The tail of the Pipe-fish is prehensile ; with the tip of it 

 coiled round a stem, it will sway its body to and fro in 

 graceful curves. 



Fresh- Water Fishes. 

 Carp, golden, Prussian, or silvery, are handsome fish, 



