180 ^ MOVEMENTS OF ITS EYES. 



defined white spot, succeeded by one of black ; and 

 the whole of this part, which glistens with a lustre like 

 that of tin -foil, is sprinkled with numerous irregular 

 white and black spots. The eye is very beautiful ; it 

 is particularly large, full, and glassy ; the pupil is 

 encircled by a fine ring of golden red, and the iris is 

 marked with alternate divergent bands of grey and 

 brown. The fin-rays are simple, and, with the mem- 

 brane, which is very subtle, are studded with very 

 minute olive specks, except in diagonal spots and 

 bands of clear space. 



The muzzle is abruptly narrowed immediately before 

 the eyes (looking at it vertically), and widens a httle 

 towards the tip : the mouth opens, as in other Pipe- 

 fishes, perpendicularly. The nostrils form minute 

 projecting warts. The line of the belly is gently 

 curved to the vent, from wliich point the body is much 

 more slender, both laterally and ventrally. The tail 

 is compressed, and terminates in a flattened point. I 

 observed a curious bladder-like tumour, under the 

 throat, just behind the gill-covers, but whether it is 

 normal or accidental I cannot say. 



In captivity the manners of this pretty little fish 

 are amusing'and engaging. Its beautiful eyes move 

 independently of each other, which gives a most 

 curious effect as you watch its little face through a 

 lens ; one eye being directed towards your face, with 

 a quick glance of apparent intelligence, while the other 

 is either at rest, or thrown hither and thither at various 

 other objects. I was strongly reminded of that strange 

 reptile, the Chameleon. 



Another point of resemblance to that animal our 



