JUNE, 1882. 185 



chosen and the net rightly held a prisoner will be found 

 in it of the character desired, besides the multitudes of 

 small shrimp-like crustaceans mostly Palcemonidce and 

 My sis that are sure to throng the bottom of your muslin 

 or cheese-cloth net after such performances. A fish that 

 is occasionally to be found in similar localities to the 

 above is the pipe-fish (Syngnathus Acus) one of a class 

 fully more interesting than the nest-builder, if that is 

 possible. We found one lying stranded in a little pool, 

 and looking foolishly conscious, when out at farthest low 

 water some days ago. On lifting it, the reason for its 

 uncomfortable position and want of energy appeared in 

 the shape of the swollen sides, that extended towards the 

 tail from the vent for about four inches, looking like two 

 wings in a small way when seen from behind. Aware of 

 the tenacity of life of the race generally, we sought to 

 carry it home in a basket we had, well wrapped in damp 

 seaware and constantly dipped in water for some minutes 

 at a time, while we continued our search for another class 

 of objects. But whether its condition rendered it more 

 necessitous of water, or whether it had been poisoned by 

 the brackish water near which we found it, is uncertain : 

 at any rate, we could not take it the few hundred yards 

 alive. These fish are said to be very readily affected by 

 fresh water, and this being a male " in the family way," 

 must have been more especially susceptible, for, the 

 interesting part of the history of these fish is, that the 

 female lays the eggs and the male hatches them out in 

 his marsupial pouch, where he is said to give them asylum 

 from enemies, even after they have been sufficiently 

 matured to swim about alongside. It would be most 

 interesting to learn what constitutes the peculiarity of 

 any organism that can endure the transfer from salt water 



