BLENNIIFORMES 



455 



but the position of Sub-Tribe A 

 their allies were for long associ- 

 ated with the Gadiformes, from 

 which theyhavebeen distinguished 

 by Boxilenger [40]. 



The pelvic fins are placed in 

 front of the pectorals, being 

 'jugular' or even 'mental' in 

 position. The base of the pectoral 

 fin is usually vertical and ex- 

 tended. Frequently the foramen 

 lies not in the scapula, but between 

 it and the coracoid (Fig. 477, A). 

 The spines and scaling are gener- 

 ally reduced ; the more specialised 

 families become much modified 

 and give rise to some of the most 

 phantastic forms of fish. 



SUB-TRIBE A. Two of the 

 short flattened pectoral radials 

 rest on the coracoid, and some of 

 the anterior dermal rays on the 

 scapula, as in the Scorpaeniformes 

 (Fig. 477, A). 



Family TRACHINIDAE. The 

 Weevers have a subocular lamina 

 on the second subdrbital, well- 

 developed pleural ribs and epi- 

 pleurals, the foramen between the 

 scapula and coracoid, and a long 

 opercular spine. The mouth is 

 large and protractile, the snout 

 very short, the spinous dorsal short 

 and separate, the tail lengthened 

 with a long soft dorsal and anal. 

 The pelvic fins have one spine and 

 five jointed dermotrichs. The air- 

 bladder has been lost, and the 

 small cycloid scales are set in 

 oblique bands. 



Trachinus, Art., the Weever ; 

 Mediterranean and E. Atlantic ; 

 Miocene, Europe. 



Family PERCOPHIIDAE. Differ 

 from the preceding in the disposi- 

 tion of the scales, the wide separa- 

 tion of the pelvics, and the position 

 of the foramen in the scapula (Fig. 

 477, B). 



is less certain. The Trachinidae and 



3C 



Skeleton of the pectoral and pelvic girdles and 

 tins of (A) Trnchiniis draco, L. ; (B) Percophis 

 brtuilieiuis. Q. and G. ; (C) Caulolatilus princeps. 

 Left-side view. (After Boulenger.) d, cleithrum ; 

 cor, coracoid ; pelv, pelvic girdle ; pt, radial ; ptcl, 

 postclavicle ; pte, post-temporal ; so, scapula ; scl, 

 supraclavicle. 



