Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 455 



to be formed ; but when the young is observed from above, 

 along both sides of the body a series of fine serrated teeth are 

 seen to project, which can be nothing else than \he processus 

 transversi proceeding from the vertebrae, which exist in the 

 old Syngnathi, and afford direct points of support for the said 

 rings. I think I could count about eighteen such points be- 

 tween the head and anus, and at least 50 between the anus and 

 caudal extremity. The ventral fins, which occupy the same 

 place as in the marsupial pipe-fish, are very small, but di- 

 stinct; they have an expanded somewhat rounded termination, 

 and only rudimental rays. The motions of these organs are 

 particularly lively. The dorsal fins may also be plainly di- 

 stinguished, although their rays appear to be merely indicated ; 

 from this fin proceeds as prolongation, both forwards and back- 

 wards, a somewhat lower fin-hke membrane, without the least 

 trace of rays ; the anterior continuation gradually decreases in 

 height, and disappears about half-way between the neck and 

 dorsal fin; the posterior prolongation continues, however, 

 along the entire back of the tail, with the same height unto 

 the extremity of the tail, turns round this, and then extends 

 on the under side of the tail to the anus. The caudal fin in 

 the young Syngnathi has also the same formation and shape 

 as in the eel, and forms one of its chief natatory organs. 



Such dissimilarly formed locomotive organs as we meet with 

 in the small pipe-fish, as young and as old individuals, are ex- 

 plained by the different kind of locomotion which it employs 

 at these various periods of life, and this again seems to indicate 

 quite a distinct habit. To inquire more accurately into this 

 point, as also to determine the period and kind of the meta- 

 morphosis, remains yet for future observations. 



I take this opportunity of mentioning that the delicate young 

 Syngnathi are perhaps of all things the best suited for micro- 

 scopical examinations on the circulation of the blood. 



LI. — Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 



Again, on June 8th, Mr. Gardner writes thus from Pernambuco * : 



" Ever since my return from the Rio San Francisco, 1 have been 



anxiously expecting the parcels and letters of which this day has 



* In continuation of the extracts given in our last Number, p. 365. 



