634 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
with the integuments of the body, forming a large pouch for the 
reception of the eggs. 
Solenorhynchus, from the Upper Eocene of North Italy, 
probably belongs to this family, but its form is much more 
elongate, and the exoskeleton is in regular rings. 
Fam. 10. Syngnathidae.— Body more or less elongate, 
protected by an exoskeleton forming rings. Anterior vertebrae 
not elongate; parapophyses strong, ankylosed to the exoskeleton ; 
no ribs. Snout much produced, tubiform ; mouth small, terminal, 
toothless; no praeoperculum; symplectic elongate; gill - cleft 
reduced to a very small opening near the upper posterior angle 
of the gill-cover ; gill-lamellae small rounded lobes. A single 
dorsal fin. Pectoral fins, if present, with very small pterygials; 
ventrals absent. Caudal fin often absent; tail sometimes 
prehensile. 
Fic. 386.—Syngnathus pelagicus. 
This family embraces about 175 marine species, and is 
represented over the greater part of the world. Principal genera: 
Siphonostoma, Syngnathus, Penetopteryx, Ichthyocampus, Nanno- 
campus, Osphyolax, Urocampus, Doryichthys, Coelonotus, Stigma- 
tophorus, Nerophis, Protocampus, Gastrotoceus, Solenognathus, 
Hippocampus, Acentronura, Phyllopteryz. 
temains are found in the Upper Eocene and Miocene beds 
of Europe, and have been referred to Siphonostoma and Syngnathus, 
and to the extinct genus Calamostoma. It is probable that 
Pseudosyngnathus, from the Upper Eocene of Monte Bolca, is the 
type of a distinct family. 
The best known members of this family are the Needle-Fish 
or Pipe-Fish (Siphonostoma and Syngnathus) and Sea-Horse 
(Hippocampus) of our coasts. The latter, like Amphisile, swims 
with the body in a vertical position. In most species the male 
takes charge of the eggs, in a pouch under the tail (Siphonostoma, 
