42 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
stituting a baggy pouch from which numerous 
thread-like growths arise that serve the pur¬ 
pose of keeping the eggs securely held in their 
proper place. 
In the case of the above-mentioned pipe¬ 
fish, however, it is the males that are provided 
with a pouch, this being formed by folds of 
skin arising on either side of the body and 
tail, and joining underneath, except at the 
hindermost extremity where the entrance to 
the “ brood chamber ” is situated. This snug 
retreat not only serves as a receptacle wherein 
the young undergo their development, but 
also as a place of refuge for the newly hatched 
fry. 
Some of the pipe-fish, however, do not possess 
a pouch but merely a groove upon the under 
surface of their bodies, and even that may be 
absent in certain species. 
The male sea-horses of the genus Hippo¬ 
campus possess a pouch situated underneath 
their tails wherein to carry the eggs laid by 
the females, but others that are not thus 
endowed resort to the practice of embedding 
the ova in the soft skin of their caudal appen¬ 
dages. 
In conclusion, brief mention must be made 
of the spawning habits of the gunnel or butter 
fish, for after the female has laid her eggs she 
