GADIFORMES 



479 



from three in Gadomus to six in Macrurus and ten in Muraenolepis. 

 This increase above the usual number, five, is probably secondary 

 (p. 404). The pelvic fins, which may have as many as twelve 

 dermal rays, are very far forward, anterior to the pectorals in the 



FIG. .008. 



tract in A ; op, optic nerve ; s, membranous interorbital septum. 



Gadidae, but the girdle is only loosely attached to the cleithra. 

 Usually pleural ribs as well as epipleurals are present on the trunk 

 vertebrae, except the first two. 



Scales generally cover the head ; they are cycloid in the 



vl. hy. 



FIG. 509. 



Tail of a young Coil. (After A. Agassiz.) d, dorsal cartilage (neural arch ?) ; d.l, lepidotrichia of 

 dorsal lobe of caudal tin ; li.u, haemal arch ; hy, hypural ; n.sp, neural spine ; nt, notochord. 



Gadidae and some Macruridae ; but in the latter family they 

 become spinous (Fig. 512, B). The air-bladder is closed, and the 

 pseudobranch usually sunk and glandular. Often a mental barbel 

 is present. The Gadiformes have not been found below the 

 Miocene and Oligocene rocks. 



