36 LOPHOBRANCHII. 



B. Species having the keel restricted to the fore parts of the 



gill-cover. 



6. Syngnathus pelagicus, Linn. 

 Syngnathus pelagicus, Bloch, t. 109. f. 3. 



Diagn. — Lateral line interrupted at the first tail-ring. The 

 high black-striped dorsal fin standing on seven or eight 

 rings, of which two are body-rings ; 15 rings before the 

 dorsal, and 17 up to the anal ring. Under the lateral line, 

 on the extremity of each ring, a narrow, perpendicular white 

 band bordered with black, which as it rises on the margin 

 of the back becomes darker. 



Descr. — One of the commonest species, and found in every 

 collection, and in all seas. Snout tolerably long, and measuring 

 from the fore-border of the orbit, as much as the space from 

 thence to the base of the pectoral fin. Body higher than broad. 

 Tail-rings 32. The egg-pouch pretty short, and occupying 

 scarcely half the length of the tail. 



Rad'.—P. 17; D. 26-28; A. 4; C. 10. 



This species varies greatly. Some individuals resemble Bloch's 

 figure, and exhibit two or three perpendicular bars, with un- 

 spotted intervening spaces. The silver-coloured stripes are 

 sometimes reduced to mere spots. On the tail there are cross- 

 bars, and sometimes merely traces thereof. The under-piece 

 of the gill-cover and the higher portion of the pectoral ring 

 exhibit a golden lustre. A male in the Paris Museum, under 

 the name of Typhlus anonymus, Bibron, has the snout and gill- 

 cover striped with black, and the silvery-white cross-belts are 

 oval and yellowish. This variety is 5" 79 inches long. Length 

 of its head 0"71 inch, of its dorsal fin - 63 inch, of its tail 

 3 - 35 inches. 



The Frankfort, British and Berlin Museums possess indivi- 

 duals from the Brazils, Falkland Islands, Cape of Good Hope and 

 Australia. 



7. Syngnathus Temminckii, Kp. 



Diagn. — Snout as long as the distance between the hinder 

 border of the orbits and the extremity of the gill-cover. 

 Head and snout roughly shagreened, and measuring one- 

 ninth of the whole length. Seventeen body-rings before 

 the dorsal fin. Tail-rings 37. Dorsal fin standing on 9 

 rings, of which two belong to the body. 



