582 THE SEA HORSE AND THE LAMPREY. 



The family of the Syngnathidse is represented by several British 

 species. 



The Sea Horse is common in many European seas, and is some- 

 times captured on the British coasts. In all these fishes there is only 

 one dorsal fin, set far back, and capable of being moved in a marvel- 

 lous fashion that reminds the observer of a screw propeller, and evi- 

 dently answers a similar purpose. The tail of the Sea Horse, stiff as 

 it appears to be in dried specimens, is during the life of the creature 

 almost as flexible as an elephant's proboscis, and is employed as a pre- 

 hensile organ, whereby its owner may be attached to any fixed object. 

 The head of the Sea Horse is wonderfully like that of the quadruped 

 from which it takes its name, and the resemblance is increased by two 



apparent ears that project partly from the 

 sides of the neck. These organs are, how- 

 ^^M ever, fins, and when the fish is in an active 

 'MB mood are moved with considerable rapidity. 

 M It is rather a remarkable fact that the Sea 

 ^^ Horse, like the Chameleon, possesses the 

 power of moving either eye at will quite 

 independently of the other, and therefore 

 must be gifted with some curious modifi- 

 cation in the sense of sight which enables 

 it to direct its gaze to difierent objects with- 

 out confusing its vision. 

 The color of this interesting little fish is 

 • light ashen brown, relieved with slight 

 dashes of blue on different parts of the 

 ^ body, and in certain lights gleaming with 

 tt beautiful iridescent hues that play over 

 gj its body with a chanceful lustre. About 

 .-EA noii6E {nippocu7^ipu6^ twcnty spcclcs of Sea Horses are known, 

 virostris). Several of which have been exhibited alive 



in the aquarium at the Crystal Palace. 

 The Cyclostomi, or "circular-mouthed fishes," are represented by 

 several British examples. 



The well-known Lamprey and its kin are remarkable for the wondei 

 ful resemblance which their mouths bear to that of a leech. 

 ^They are all long-bodied, snake-like fish, and possess a singular ap- 



Mouth small, rather protractile, and armed with small, thickly-set teeth. Extreme 

 ength eight inches. This beautiful little fish, associated in' the minds of all ang- 

 lers with the first rudiments of a piscatorial education, is known in the Middle and 

 bou hem States as the Sun-fish or 'sunny.' Yankee boys call them 'Punkin 

 oeeas or by the more euphonic, though appropriate, name of ' Rivers,' probably 

 trom their appropriate shape for the cover of a teacup or pickle-jar." 



