320 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
plates, of the same description with the preceding; the carine however, are less denticu- 
lated than those on the dorsal ridges. The middle series on the abdomen is composed of 
nineteen, plates, obsoletely carinate under the pectorals, and terminating at the anal pouches. 
The series of keeled plates.on the sides of the abdomen pass into those on the sides posterior 
to the vent; and anterior to this part, are nineteen in number. Through the whole length of 
the body and tail, the number of plates in the lateral and dorsal series amounts to fifty-nine or 
sixty. It results from this, that the disposition of the carinated plates is seven-sided anterior 
to the anal pouches. On the summit of the head, and on the nape, is a short series of three 
keeled plates, subsiding into a slightly raised line between the eyes, and continued on the 
upper surface of the prolonged upper jaw, nearly to its extremity. Head gently declivous 
from the nape to the origin of the tubular jaw. Nostrils double, contiguous, and situated in a 
triangular cavity anterior to the eyes; the posterior largest. Eyes large, 0°15 in diameter. 
Jaws, measured from beneath the orbits, 0°65 long. Head and jaws, measured to the bran- 
chial aperture, are to the total length as one to seven and a half. Opercles narrow in front, 
enlarged and rounded behind, with a series of moniliform raised lines radiating in a curved 
direction from the upper anterior extremity. There is no medial raised line, as in the Euro- 
pean species. 
The dorsal fin is 0°3 high, with a base an inch and a tenth long; it is composed of forty- 
two simple slender and subequal rays. It arises opposite the sixteenth dorsal plate, and occu- 
pies a little more than the space included between ten of these plates. 'The pectoral fins are 
placed rather low down, are slender and pointed, the tips reaching to the third dorsal plate. 
The anal fin very minute, placed behind the pouch, and beneath the middle of the dorsal; it 
is composed of two, with the rudiments of a third ray, andis 0°15 long. Caudal fin broad 
and rounded, with its membrane concave between the rays. 
Color. Ash brown above, light grey bencath ; the portion posterior to the anal pouches with 
eight or nine light colored bands, each covering two plates. 
Length, 8°6. 
Fin rays, D. 42; P.15; A.3; C.12. 
This species appears to be closely allied to the S. peckeanus of Storer, but differs in the 
following particulars: The body of one species, in front of the dorsal fin, heptangular. Head 
and rostrum proportionably longer; the greatest depth of the rostrum scarcely exceeding 
twice the greatest depth of the head. The dorsal fin 0°25 longer than the head, measured 
to the posterior part of the opercle. The absence of the radial formula does not enable me 
to carry the comparison farther. I suppose that Dr. Mitchill, under the erroneous name of 
S. typhle, had our species in view. 
The Banded Pipe-fish is rarely taken alive. It occurs more usually thrown up on sea- 
beaches, after heavy gales. It is of no use as an article of food, 
