258 LOPHOBRANCHII. 



Habits. — Of these but little is known, but they appear to resemble otter forms, 

 as SyngnatJnis ams, which will be more fully detailed . 



Means of captui-f. — Dredging and trawling. 



Breeding. — For this the reader must be referred to a paper on its development 

 and reproduction as observed on the Finnish coast (Malm, Wiegm. Arch. 1864, 

 p. 343). 



Habitat. — The coasts of Europe, but is rather a local species, becoming rare in 

 the Mediterranean. 



In the Orkneys this is said to be more frequently found than Byngnathus acus 

 and from 6 to 15^^ inches in length (Low). Orkneys and Shetland rare (Baikie): 

 Banff not rare, excellent as bait (Edward) : Firth of Forth rather rare (Pamell) : 

 Scarborough (Woodall) : Norfolk Estuary and Yarmouth (Gurney) : I have 

 received many specimens from the Sussex coast : Dorsetshire and Hampshire 

 abundant (Tarrell). At Weymouth common, chiefly in Zostera beds from 

 low water-mark to deep water (T. Gosse) and not uncommon in Cornwall. 

 Also recorded from Swansea (Dillwyn) . 



Ireland. — Coasts of Antrim and Cork, but not so common as Syngnathus acus. 



This fish has been recorded b\- Yarrell to 13 inches in length. The largest 1 

 have taken is 10 j inches. 



