62 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



The best instance, however, that we possess amongst 

 these animals of adaptation to surroundings is that of the 

 Leafy Sea-Horses (Phyllopteryx) . In these comparatively 

 large fbrms, some or all of the smooth bony plates 

 are furnished with long spine-like processes, project- 

 ing from their edges ; many of them terminating in irregu- 

 lar, leaf-like appendages. They are veritable ghosts of 

 Sea-Horses. 



The species here shown is Phyllopteryx foliatus. 



Several other species are found on our coasts. 



In regard to the common name applied in a general 

 way to these fishes, it may be said that: "The likeness to 

 the conventional knight of the chessboard is much more 

 marked than to a horse's head; indeed, if a spirula-shell or 

 coiled worm were attached to the base of a chess-knight, 

 the Sea-Horse would be well imitated. The ancient name 

 Hippocampus is, therefore, very apt ; being derived from the 

 Greek hippos, horse, and kampe, worm or caterpillar. But 

 let no one be deceived by superficial resemblance of parts. 

 The head of the fish and that of a horse are essentially 

 homologous, but here real likeness ends ; the contracted part 

 of the Sea-Horse does not correspond to the neck of a 

 true horse, but to the fore-part of the abdomen, there being 

 no true neck in the fish; the lower part of the "neck" of 

 the fish is really the hinder part of the abdomen, and the 

 anus marks its hinder boundary." (Gill.) 



Many species of Pipe- Fishes are found on various parts 

 of our coastline ; some of them being very tiny, while one 

 species reaches a length of nearly 18 inches. 



THE SEA-DRAGONS. 



(Family: Pegasidce .) 



THE Sea-Dragons have the body entirely covered with bony 

 plates, making a strong casing, which is only moveable on 

 the tail portion. The snout is long, and is produced be- 

 yond the mouth, which is small and toothless. The pectoral 



