LOI'HODRANCHII. 



41 



14. Syngnathus Phlegon, Risso. 

 Syngnathus Phlegon, Risso, Hist. Nat. p. 181. 



iJiiif/n. — Lateral line reaching to the first caudal ring, inter- 

 rupted. Dorsal fin supported by 13 rings, two of which are 

 body-rings. 16 rings anterior to the dorsal, and 18 when 

 the anal one is included. A spine terminates each ring. 



Descr. — A handsome species, to be recognized at a glance by 

 its silvery sides and belly, and which may be further known by 

 its high dorsal fin, long tail, and spiny angles. The length of 

 the slender snout from the projecting pointed fore-corner of the 

 orbit exceeds the distance between the same point and the base 

 of the pectoral fin. The wrinkled snout is rough, and toothed 

 on its dorsal aspect. Between the elevated orbits there are pro- 

 minent longitudinal and cross stripes, and the hind-head is some- 

 what elevated at its slightly keeled shield, which has two notches 

 next the nuchal shield. The oval gill-cover, nearly as broad as 

 it is high, is crossed by distinct, rough bars. Sixteen rings enter 

 into the composition of the body, which is much higher than it 

 is broad ; and the pectoral ring is concave on its dorsal aspect 

 and convex on its ventral one. Pectoral fin, in comparison with 

 Acus, moderately long; 12 or 13 rings sustain the long and high 

 dorsal fin, which contains from 40 to 42 rays. Tail almost twice 

 as long as the bod)', and composed of 50 rings. 



A female, 8"27 inches long, has a tail measuring 5*12 inches. 

 Each body- and tail-ring has a blackish spot. The belly is 

 striped beneath the lateral lines, and the under part of the gill- 

 cover is silvery-white. Caudal fin black. The length of the 

 egg-pouch is such, that it terminates an inch from the point of 

 the tail. My description is drawn up from a male in the Vienna 

 Museum sent from Palermo, a female in the Frankfort Museum, 

 several males in the British Museum from Cosseir, and from a 

 great number of specimens in the Parisian Museum obtained 

 from Risso, and also from three individuals sent from the Cape 

 of Good Hope to the Ley den Museum by Horstock. 



15. Syngnathus Acus, Linn. 



Syngnathus Acus, Block, t. 91 ; Yarrell, p. 432. 



Diagn. — A denticulated crest on the convex, oval hind-head. 

 Dorsal aspect of the snout also denticulated. Snout not so 

 long as that of tenuirostris. Eighteen body-rings. Dorsal 



