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, when quite dry, itis then rolled into the form which we 
see it in the shops. ‘This valuable commodity is principally furnished frcem 
Russia. 
SUB-CLASS II.—OSSEOUS FISHES. 
Tuts division includes the fishes with free bronchie, and of which the bones, 
though varying in hardness, are always fibrous. The cranium is divided by 
sutures. 
ORDER 1V.—PLECTOGNATHTI,. 
Tuese 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.--LOPHOBRONCHI. 
Turse fishes have the jaws complete; bronchie in the form of small, 
round tufts, disposed in pairs along the bronchial arteries. 
THE SEA HORSE! 
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 
itsname. 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 1s 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. 
1 Hippocampus vulgaris, Lix. The genus Hippocampus has the snout tubular; trunk 
of the body compressed laterally, and more elevated than the tail ; joinings of the scales 
raised into ridges, and the projecting angles spinous; no ventral fins; bronchial openings 
on the necg. 
