170 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES. 



nosed hippocampus, is to be met with on dif- 

 ferent parts of our coast. This fish, often called 

 the sea-horse, is of a singular form, the head 

 resembling that of a hog or tapir, with a slen- 

 der tubular snout, at the end of which is a 

 small mouth. The neck is arched like that 

 of a horse, and the protuberant abdomen may 

 represent the chest ; the tail is long, tapering, 

 and prehensile ; the dorsal fin is high ; the 

 mail-clad body and tail are traversed by longi- 

 tudinal and transverse ridges, with angles of 

 intersection. 



Specimens of this fish have, it is said, been 

 occasionally found curled up in oyster-shells, 

 but of their general habits little is known ; the 

 following extract from Mr. Yarrell's work is 

 therefore the more interesting : "At the time 

 of writing, June 9, 1835, Mr. Lukis had two 

 female specimens of Hippocampus Irevirostris, 

 then healthy and active, which had been living 

 twelve days in a glass vessel ; their actions 

 equally novel and amusing. An appearance of 

 search for a resting place induced me, says Mr. 

 Lukis, to consult their wishes by placing sea- 

 weed and straws in the vessel ; the desired 

 effect was attained, and has afforded me much 

 to reflect upon in their habits. They now 

 exhibit many of their peculiarities, and few 



