234 THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 
for the power they possess of attaching themselves to stones 
or rocks by means of an adhesive disk on the under surface 
of their bodies, and in several other fishes. 
When imprisoned in an aquarium, few subjects of the deep 
display more intelligence or afford more entertainment than 
the little Hippocampus brevirostris, or Sea-Horse. 
“While swimming about,” says Mr. Lukis,* “it maintains 
a vertical position, but the tail, ready to grasp whatever meets it 
in the water, quickly entwines itself in 
any direction round the weeds, and, 
when fixed, the animal intently watches 
; the surrounding objects, and darts at its 
Sea-Horse. prey with great dexterity. When two 
of them approach each other, they often twist their tails together, 
and struggle to separate or attach themselves to the weeds; this 
is done by the under part of their cheeks or chin, which is also 
used for raising the body when a new spot is wauted for the tail 
to fasten upon afresh.” 
“In captivity,” says Mr. Gosse, “the manners of the Worm 
Pipe-Fish (Syngnathus lambriciformis), the smallest of our 
native species, are amusing and engaging. Its beantiful eyes 
move independently of each other, like those of the chameleon, 
and another point of resemblance to that animal our little pipe- 
fish presents in the prehensile character of its tail. It curves 
just the tip of this organ laterally round the stem or frond of 
some sea-weed and holds on by this half-inch or so, while the 
rest of its body roves to and fro, elevating and depressing the 
head and fore parts, and throwing the body into the most grace- 
ful curves. All the motions of the Pipe-fish manifest much 
intelligence. It is a timid little thing, retiring from the side 
of the glass at which it had been lying when one approaches, 
and hiding under the shadow of the sea-weeds, which I have 
put in, both to afford it shelter, and also to supply food in the 
numerous animalcules that inhabit these marine plants. Then 
it cautiously glides among their bushy fronds, and from under 
their shelter peeps with its brilliant eyes at the intruder as if 
wondering what he can be, drawing back gently at any alarm- 
ing motion. In swimming, it is constantly throwing its body 
* Yarrell, ‘‘ British Fishes,” 8rd edition, vol. ii. p. 396, 
