"The structure resolves itself, externally, into a regular quadrangular figure, extending 174 feet in front, 125 feet in flank, and 60 feet in height. Internally, two courts, of the same figure, are formed, around and between which the several parts of the building are arranged. The main body of the front elevation is composed of two stories, which are indicated by series of windows, enriched with tracery of the period to which the composition belongs-the lower being comparatively low, with very flat arches of what are termed the four-centred, or obtuse-angled and contrasted form; the upper are lofty, with arches of similar form, but of higher elevation. These divide that part of the elevation into seven minor compartments, which are separated by buttresses, diminishing as they ascend, and terminating above an embattled parapet, in pinnacles, enriched with crockets and finials. The principal entrance is in the central compartment of the ground-story, and is formed by a characteristic porch, so designed as not to break up the harmony and continuity of the composition. The elevation generally, however, includes two wings, which stand so far forward as to range with the buttresses of the main body in the lower story, and running up to the height of the main body, terminate in small gables. These wings are enriched each by a lofty oriel window of two stories in height, corbelling from the level of the principal floor. The other windows are plain, rectangular, and mullioned, with label heads in collegiate style. The flanks exhibit three tiers, or stories, of windows similar to the ordinary windows of the wings in front. The rear front is of a similar composition to the principal front, as regards the wings. In the centre are seven large pointed windows, filled with mullions and tracery in the principal floor; and in the lower story there is a series of open arches, forming a covered play-ground, with a cloister for the boys during inclement weather.

"The principal entrance from New-street opens upon a vestibule, on the right and left of which are two subordinate school-rooms, occupying the ground or lower story of the main body of the front, from the windows of which they receive their light. Onward the vestibule leads into a gallery, or corridor, separating the two internal quadrangular courts, and out into the vaulted and groined ground-floor of the main body of the rear front, which communicates, by its open arcade, with the play-ground. Turning to the right, after passing through the entrance vestibule, there is a handsome stone staircase leading up to a corridor corresponding with that below, but of much greater height, according with the greater ge

neral height of the story, and connecting the two principal rooms in the structure, which relatively occupy the main bodies of its principal and rear fronts. These are the library and the grammar school-room. The former is over the entrance vestibule and subordinate schools in front, and occupies the grand series of windows of the elevation. This room is 102 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 31 feet in height. The latter the grammar-school-occupies the corresponding part within the rear-front, over the vaulted playground below; over one end there will be a gallery for the accommodation of visitors at public examinations; above which gallery the length of this room is 120 feet, its width 30 feet, and its height 45 feet. The roof will be carved and enriched with tracery in the manner of the roofs of Eltham, Crosby, and other ancient halls of the same period. In the wings of the fronts and the flankingbuildings from front to rear, are the residences for the head and second master, which include apartments for the accommodation of a limited number of private pupils. The building is entirely faced with a durable grit stone, of a fine colour, from Darley Dale, in Derbyshire. The interior of the vestibule, corridors, and staircases, all of which are highly decorative, and have groined ceilings, are entirely cased with stone."

SKETCHES OF BRITISH ICHTHYOLOGY.

No. 1.—THE SYNGNATHIDÆ, OR FAMILY OF PIPE-FISHES.

BY SHIRLEY PALMER, M.D.

ICHTHYOLOGY, or the study of fishes, although little prosecuted as a branch of Natural History in this country, has ever been, to me, a subject of the deepest interest. The delightful associations of my early years are inseparably connected with it; and have, perhaps, imparted to the study a charm which, with all its intrinsic attractions to the inquiring mind of the man of science and the naturalist, it might not otherwise have possessed. The "high-days and holidays" spent by the visionary and enthusiastic school-boy, in solitary rambles with the fishing-rod, on the brink of the tranquil

* From 'Ixùs, a fish, and aóyos, a discourse.

t

stream, amid scenes over which the name of Home has thrown its undying spell, are never to be forgotten by the spirit of the man, however stricken and subdued, in after-life. They arise upon the memory, and beguile the imagination, with a soft and fascinating splendour which the storms and vicissitudes of the world, as they deepen and fluctuate around, may cloud or bury for awhile, but never can extinguish.

I have been induced to select for the subject of my first contribution, the present department of Ichthyology; because such selection will enable me to exhibit an Order of Fishes, and explain facts in their structure and economy, which are alike curious and little known, or imperfectly understood. And I am not without hope that some friend of The Analyst, more favourably circumstanced for observation, than myself, may take up the subject, and corroborate, and extend, the singular views developed respecting it, first by Mr. Walcott, and subsequently by Mr. Yarrell.

The two genera of British fishes which constitute the subject of my present sketch, belong to the Fifth Order, Lophobranchii, and Family, Syngnathida, of the illustrious Cuvier. The term, Lophobranchii, compounded of two Greek substantives, literally signifies tuft-gills:* and I cannot better illustrate the propriety of this designation than by presenting an almost literal translation of Cuvier's account of the characters of the Order, from page 36 of the second volume of the Règne Animal: The fishes of this Order possess perfect and free jaws; but are, at once, distinguished by their gills; which, instead of exhibiting the ordinary pectinated form,+ are separated into small round tufts, disposed by pairs along the gill-arches, a structure of which no other fishes offer an example. The gills are enclosed beneath a large opercule, or gill-cover, attached, on all sides, by a membrane which leaves only a small orifice for the issue of the water, and exhibits, in its substance, but few vestiges of radii. These fishes are, moreover, distinguished by a body invested throughout with indurated plates (écussons) which give it almost invariably an angular figure. They are generally of small size, and almost destitute of flesh. Their intestine is of equal calibre, without coca:‡ their swimming-bladder slender; but proportionately large.

*

aópos, a tuft, Beáyxia, the gills of fishes.

+ Disposed like the teeth of a comb, pecten.

The Coca of Fishes are intestinal appendices; which, varying in number, surround the pylorus, and open separately, or in groups, into the stomach either at that part, or over the whole surface of the organ. They secrete a fluid which is supposed to perform the office of the pancreatic juice