19 



Klaasseu, H. M. — The lower London Tertiaries at Park Hill, Croydon. 

 P.G.A., vol. viii, p. 226. 



1883. — Gardner, J. S. — On the lower Eocenes between Reculver and Heme Bay. 

 Q.J.G.S., vol. xxxix, p. 197. 



1885. — Dbwker, fi. and ^Vllitaker, "W. — Excnrsion to Reculver and Pegwell Bay. 

 P.G.A., vol. Lx, p 168. 



Holmes, T. V. — Xotes on the Old Haven Pebble beds at Caterham. P.G.A., 

 vol. ix, p. 105. 



1886. — Gardner, J. S. — On the London Clay and its deposition. P.G.A., vol. x, 

 p. 115. 

 Harris, G. F. — A Revision of our lower Eocenes. P.G.A., vol. x, p. 40. 



1888. — Gardner, JMiss — Green-sand beds at the base of the Thanet. Q.J.G.S., 

 vol. xliv, p. 755. 



IV. 



NOTES ON THE GREAT PIPE-FISH, (SYNGNATHUS ACTJTUS) 



BY 



Mr. G. DOWKER, F.G.S. 

 Read Deue.mber 9, 1889. 



Tho following notes on the Pipe-flsli, Syugnathus acutus, ( Yarrell) 

 which i have kept in the Maiine Aquarium during the last three months 

 may possess more than local interest. 



I obtained two specimens of this interesting fish from Whitstable on 

 the occasion of the visit of the members of the Quekett Club there on 

 September 7th, 1889. The two specimens were young fish, the largest 

 being about six inches and the other four inches in length. They were 

 both turned out of the same haul of the dredge. When I took them home 

 they soon recovei'ed from the journey, and were quite at home in the 

 aquarium, concealing themselves under the stones or weeds. When they 

 came out from their hiding place, they often assumed an upright position 

 in the tank, balancing themselves by the action of the dorsal fin, just 

 bringing their mouths to the surface of the water. Suspecting this might 

 be for the reason of a want of aeration of the water, I applied a syringe to 

 the tank every morning. I found as the tank became purified, although 

 they no longer came to the surface, they very commonly assumed the 

 peculiar perpendicular attitude. 



I should observe, that tlieir mode of progression was not like that of 

 other fish, the tail not being u.sud to propel them, and the pectoral fins 

 being small they used the large dorsal fin by giving it an undulating 

 movement like a scull and progressed in this way very leisurely. They 

 showed little signs of fear, even when any thing was placed near them ; 

 quietly keeping their heads motiouless they had a peculiar way of rolling 



