355 



BROAD-NOSED PIPEFISH. 



Typhle, Rondeletius. 



Acus Aristotelis, Willoughby ; Table I 25, p. 158. 



Syngnathus Typhle, LinnjEUS. Cuvier. 



" " Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 175. 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 485. 



" " Yarrell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 438. 



This species has been confounded with the former; from 

 which it is readily distinguished by its much broader expansion 

 from the eye to the jaws, and the larger capacity of its mouth. 

 The angles of the plates of the body are also less definitely 

 marked, and the structure of the plates less firm; but the 

 general proportions are nearly the same, except that the top 

 of the head is less elevated. Its particular habits have been 

 less observed than those of the former species; but although 

 in some districts common, it is not generally distributed. It is 

 in truth a local species, although as regards the range of climate 

 this and the former appear to be equal. None of the family 

 are found in Greenland, but these are common among Scandi- 

 navian fishes, as also in the Mediterranean. Willoughby found 

 it abundant at Venice. 



This fish grows to the length of about a foot, or a few inches 

 beyond; the line of direction almost straight from above the 

 eye to the dorsal fin; which is proportionally further back than 

 in S. acus ; but this dorsal line is marked with small elevations 

 formed by the plates; which are in number eighteen, and from 

 thence to the tail about thirty-five. The body becomes more 

 slender from the dorsal fin backward to the tail. Pectoral fin 

 small, with thirteen rays; dorsal thirty-five; caudal round, the 

 rays ten; a small anal fin. The colour a light yellow, with 

 Httle variation. 



