104 M. Fries on the Gmus Syngnathug. 



The body is very small and of almost equal breadth ; the tail 

 gradually diminishes in size, and almost imperceptibly ends 

 in an extremely fine point. Of all the species this is the long- 

 est in proportion to the height of the body, or about the pro- 

 portion 60*1. The usual length amounts to about 9 to 10 

 inches. The colour is olive green above, passing into yellow be- 

 neath, with a quantity of small, blueish white, frequently round 

 spots at the sides, and above the gill covering with a quantity 

 of minute beautiful azure blue stripes, which proceed abruptly 

 towards the sides of the body. Between head and anal aper- 

 ture are situated 30 to 31 rings, and from this last to the cau- 

 dal extremity about 60 and above. The dorsal fin consists of 

 34 to 38 rays, and extends over 10 segments of the body. 

 The anal aperture occupies in the male nearly the middle of 

 the body ; in the females it is found somewhat behind this 

 point. The eggs are placed in 3 to 4 rows. 



This species is very easily distinguished from the following 

 one by its longer projecting and somewhat pointed snout, 

 which surpasses in some degree in length (reckoned from the 

 centre of the eye) the greatest height of the head. 



It is this species which is so very common on our coasts, 

 occurring both in the Baltic and Cattegat. The females are 

 in greater plenty than the males. 



Little Pipe- Fish, Syngnalhus lumbriciformis, Yarr. — Corpore teretius- 

 culo, crassiore, roStro apice reflexo, breviore, distantiam a centro oculi 

 ad marginem operculi non attingente ; ano circa anteriorem -^ longitu- 

 dinis corporis sito. 



Syn. Acus lumbriciform. Willoughb. Hist. Pise. p. 160. — Little Pipe Fish. 

 Peiin. Brit. Zool. p. 23, No, 62,— S. lumbriciform. Yarrell, Brit. Fish. 

 ii. p, 340. 



Compared with the preceding species, which most resembles 

 this, M^e have the body somewhat thicker in proportion to its 

 length, about 1 to 35 — 40, the tail is also somewhat thicker. 

 This little fish, which only attains a length of 5 — 6 inches, 

 possesses from its short snout, which is bent somewhat up- 

 wards and at the extremities is rather obtuse, an appearance 

 easily recognizable. The usual colour is chestnut brown, 

 which in some is brighter, in others darker ; along the back 

 are situated irregular large spots of a whitish grey colour, 



