CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 703 



hudeonms, De K. Common Sea Horse. 



Dusky, without spots, but with gray blotches, some on neck, 

 &c., the most distinct forms an hour-glass figure, extending down 

 each side of back ; spines short and blunt, those on head cirrated 

 and weak. Dorsal rays, 19. 



" This species is abundant in the brackish waters of the State, 

 but appears to be less so as we proceed south." 



Order HEMIBRANCHII. 



Ventral fins abdominal ; superior branchihyals and pharyngeals 

 reduced in number ; mouth bounded by premaxillaries only ; shoulder 

 girdle and skull differ from ordinary Acanthopteri, with which 

 they are often classed ; gills pectinate. 



Family FISTULARIIDiE. 



Trumpet-fishes. 



Body long, slender, depressed ; no scales ; bony plates present in 

 skin ; head very long, with long, tubular snout, terminating in a nar- 

 row mouth ; both jaws with minute teeth ; tube capable of dilation ; 

 dorsal without spines, behind ventrals; caudal forked, with middle 

 ray produced into a filament ; vertebrae numerous. 



PISTULARIA, L. 



(Solenostomus— Abbott's Catalogue.) 

 P. tabaccaria, L. Trumpet-fish. Pipefish, 



Reddish brown, with blue spots ; lower jaw longer. Dorsal 

 rays, 14; anal rays, 13. Tropical. Occasional northward. 

 "Has been seen in our waters, but is very rare." 



P. serrata, Cuv, Pipefish. 



Skin without dermal plates ; grayish ; head silvery below ; 

 blue spots along back and sides ; much like preceding, but 

 broader and more depressed ; edges of snout serrated. Dorsal 



