84 Mr. W. Yarrell on some Species of the Genus Syngnathus. 



When engaged on the synonyms of the Syngnathi, I referred 

 to the works of Swedish authors, and found that M. Retz, in 

 his ^ Fauna Suecica/ at page 312, refers to Bloch^s figure 3. 

 tab. 91. as representing the Ophidion of Artedi and Linnaeus. 

 Again, M. Nilsson in his ^ Prodromus Ichthyologiee Scandi- 

 navicae/ page 67* also refers to Bloch's figure 3. tab. 91. as the 

 Ophidion of Linnaeus*. If therefore we have erred in quoting 

 Bloch^s figure as the true Ophidion^ we have at least gone 

 astray in good company ; the more so, since Lacepede in his 

 original work, — the editor of the recent edition, — and Baron 

 Cuvier himself in his ^ Regne Animal,^ have quoted Bloch's 

 figure 3. tab. 91. as the S. Ophidion of Linnaeus. 



As short descriptions, without figures, have often led to an 

 erroneous adoption of names, I send herewith a representation 

 engraved on wood of the true S, Ophidion of Artedi and Lin- 

 naeus. I have found it occasionally on the southern coast of 

 England, but it is not very common. It is described by M. 

 Fries in the 8th Number of the ^ Annals,^ page 103. and by 

 Mr. Jenyns in his ^ Manual of British Vertebrate Animals,^ 

 page 488. 



The straight-nosed Pipe-fish. Nat. size. 



The species which has hitherto been called S. Ophidion by 

 Mr. Jenyns and myself will in future be considered as S. an- 



* M. Fries, when quoting the synonyms of three Swedish authors, 

 namely, Retz, Ekstrom, and Nilsson, for the true Ophidion of Linnaeus, 

 very quietly omits the references made hy two of them, M. Retz and Nils- 

 son, to the figure of the Ophidion of Bloch. 



