728 PISCES-SEA HORSE. 



quantity of warm water, and they are all boiled shortly after with a slow fire, 

 until they are dissolved and reduced to a jelly; this jelly is spread upon in- 

 struments made for the purpose, so that in drying, it assumes the form of 

 parchment, and, Avhen quite dry, it is then rolled into the form which we 

 see it in the shops. This valuable commodity is principally furnished from 

 Russia. 



SUB-CLASS II. — OSSEOUS FISHES. 



This division includes the fishes with free bronchiae, and of which the bones, 

 though varying in hardness, are always fibrous. The cranium is divided by 

 sutures. 



ORDER I v. — PLE CTOGN ATHI. 



These fishes have the upper jaw formed by the intermaxillary bone, which 

 is immoveably fixed upon the side of the maxillary ; palatine arch fixed to 

 the cranium ; bronchial cleft simple. 



ORDER v.— LOPHOBRONCHII. 



These fishes have the jaws complete; bronchiae in the form of small, 

 round tufts, disposed in pairs along the bronchial arteries. 



THE SEA HORSEi 



Is a small fish of a curious shape. The length seldom reaches twelve inches; 

 the head bears some resemblance to that of a horse, whence originates 

 its name. A long back fin runs from the head to the tail, which is spirally 

 covered. The eggs of this fish are hatched in a pouch, formed by an expan- 

 sion of the skin, which in some is placed under the belly, and in others at 

 the base of the tail, and which opens to allow the young to get out. 

 This fish is often seen in cabinets and museums in a dried state. 



'^ Hrppocampiis vulfcariSjlAS. The genus Hippocampus has the snout tuhul-ar ; trunk 

 «'f llie body compressed laterally, and more elevated than the tail ; joining's of the scales 

 raised into ridges,^ and the projecting angles spinous ; no ventral fins ; bronchial openings 

 on the neck. 



