38 



1. Anus behind middle of length. Number of 

 trunkrings equal to or somewhat less than 

 that of tailrings. Snout longer than re- 

 maining part of head Microphis p. 43. 



2. Anus generally before middle of length. 

 Number of trunkrings less than that of 

 tailrings. Snout shorter or only slightly 



longer than remaining part of head. . . . Doryichihys p. 49. 

 /3/3. Egg-pouch subcaudal. 



1. Inferior cristae of trunk and tail conti- 

 nuous; median cristae of trunk and inferior 

 cristae of tail discontinuous. 



a. Upper profile of snout evenly continued 



in that of forehead ; orbits not prominent. Syngnathiis p. 77. 



b. Snout forming an angle with the orbital 



part of the head, which is prominent. . Corythoichihys p. 68. 



2. Inferior cristae of trunk and tail disconti- 

 nuous 5 median cristae of trunk and inferior 

 cristae of tail continuous. Snout forming 



no angle with orbital part of head. . . . Micrognatliiis p. 74. 

 bb. Opercular keel convex, bent upwards to gill- 

 opening, with radial lines. Base of dorsal elevated. 

 Inferior cristae of trunk and tail discontinuous; 

 median cristae of trunk and inferior cristae of 

 tail continuous. 



1. Edges of shields spinous; dorsal profile of 

 snout and head spinous. Orbital part of head 

 strongly prominent and sharply separated 



from snout Halicavipus p. 102. 



2. .Ml the edges and ridges of head smooth. 



a. Orbits pi-ominent. Snout equal to postor- 



bital part of head, with a median serrated keel. TrachyrhampJius p. 9 



b. Orbits not prominent. Snout in indo-austra- 

 lian species equal to or longer than remaining 



part of head, without serrated keel Yozia p. 100. 



B. Superior cristae of trunk and tail continuous. 



1. Egg-pouch abdominal. Operculum with a com- 

 plete, longitudinal keel. Anus behind middle of 



length; trunkrings less than 25 Choeroichthys p. 60, 



2. Egg-pouch subcaudal. Operculum with or without 

 a complete or incomplete longitudinal keel. 

 Anus before middle of length; tr««krings about 



30 — 50 hhthyocaiiipus p. 90. 



