SUCKER TRIBE. 271 



of the body is six, and in others five-sided. The snout is 

 very long, compressed at the sides, and turns up at the 

 extremity. The anal and pectoral fins are radiated, as 

 is also the tail. The body is covered with a strong crust, 

 elegantly divided into small compartments. The colour is 

 yellowish-brown, lighter beneath than above. 



The Sea-horse Pipe-fish, or Hippocamp. In a dried 

 state, this little animal is very common in almost all 

 cabinets of natural history. From its shape in this state 

 it is that its name has been derived. When alive it is 

 straight, like the other species of Pipe-fish ; but when 

 dead it shrivels up, somewhat into the shape of the 

 letter S, and the head, being then inflected, it has a 

 fancied resemblance, in shape, to a horse. In its habits 

 this fish differs little from the rest of the tribe, and is 

 found in similar situations in the sea. It is very 

 common in the Mediterranean, and also in the Indian 

 Seas. 



The Hippocamps are from eight to twelve inches in 

 length. The tail is four-sided, and without any fin at 

 the extremity. The body is seven-sided, covered with 

 tubercles, of a brown colour, variegated above, on the fore 

 part, with white and black streaks, and behind with dots. 

 The sides are much compressed. 



22. SUCKER TRIBE. 



These fish inhabit the sea, where they feed on marine 

 worms, small crabs, and other animals. They have the 

 power of adhering so firmly to rocks and stones, that it 

 is sometimes a very difficult matter to remove them. 



