Opisthomi and Anacanthini 533 



retaining the name Anacanthini (avaKavOos, without spine) 

 suggested by Johannes Muller. In this group the hyper - 

 coracoid is without foramen, the fenestra lying between this 

 bone and the hypocoracoid below it. The tail is isocercal, the 

 vertebras in a right line and progressively smaller backward, 

 sometimes degenerate or whip-like (leptocercal) at tip. Other 

 characters are shown in the structure of the skull. There are 

 no spines in any of the fins; the ventrals are jugular, the scales 

 generally small, and the coloration dull or brownish. The 

 numerous species live chiefly in the northern seas, some of 

 them descending to great depths. The resemblance of these 

 fishes to some of the Blennioid group is very strongly marked, but 

 these likenesses seem analogical only and not indicative of true 

 affinity. The codfishes probably represent an early offshoot from 

 the ancestors of the spiny-rayed fishes, and their line of evolution 

 is unknown, possibly from Ganoid types. Among recent fishes 

 there is nothing structurally nearer than the N ototheniidcz and 

 Brotulida, but the line of descent must branch off much farther 

 back than either of these. For the present, therefore, we may re- 

 gard the codfishes and their allies (Anacanthini) as a distinct order. 

 The Codfishes : Gadidae. The chief family is that of the Gadida, 

 or codfishes. These are characterized by a general resemblance 

 to the common codfish, Gadus callarias. This is one of the best 



FIG. 485. Codfish, Gadus callarias L. Eastport, Me. 



known of fishes, found everywhere on the shores of the North 

 Atlantic, and the subject of economic fisheries of the greatest 

 importance. Its flesh is white, flaky, rather tasteless, but takes 

 salt readily, and is peculiarly well adapted for drying. The 

 average size of the codfish is about ten pounds, but Captain 



