354 
GREATER PIPEEISH. 
muscles, and elastic ligaments ; by the action of ■which the long 
bones which lie along the under part can be separated so as 
to enlarge the space between them to nearly twice its ordinary 
extent; with a corresponding action on the true jaws; while 
another portion of the mechanism lays hold of the substance 
to be swallowed, and passes it backward into the stomach. 
This fish is retentive of life; and its usual haunts are in 
harbours or bays; but fresh water appears to be huitful to it. 
It is sometimes found also in the open sea at the depth of 
several fathoms, and often passes through such from one harbour 
to another. 
The usual length is about a foot or fifteen inches, and it is 
two inches round at the thickest part; the snout lengthened, 
rather more than an inch before the eyes; and to the firm 
portion of the gill-cover there is one seventh of the length of 
the body. Mouth without visible teeth. Eyes large, nostrils 
close before them. The head rises above the eye, and is there 
flat; the nape formed of two elevated plates; plate of the gill- 
covers large, oval posteriorly. Body lengthened, in the female 
tapering behind the dorsal fin, in the male behind the marsupial 
pouch; covered with a series of plates, which are twenty to 
the vent and from thence forty-four to the tail; forming angular 
lines which become more decidedly marked after death; six, or 
including the ridge of the back, seven to tbe hindmost border 
of the dorsal fin, and beyond this the body is square. The 
vent below the first rays of the dorsal fin. The pectoral fin 
broad, with twelve rays; the dorsal with forty-one or two; the 
tail round, ten rays; anal or ventral six. Colour rich yellowish 
brown, often in bands of lighter and darker. 
An irregularity of formation has been observed in this fish, 
which might almost lead to the idea of a separate species. 
Instead of the usual shape of the tail with several rays, there 
were only two firm rays united by a narrow and slender mem- 
brane; and the ventral fin was small, with only two rays; but 
there were no marks of violence. 
I find the air-bladder of this fish of curious structure; the 
anterior half being obscurely transparent, ending in a defined 
line, and the remainder altogether clear; these two portions 
being separated by a membranous septum, as if their functions 
were altogether different. 
