7 I 6 TELEOSTEI 



CHAP. 



specimens are known to have occurred on the British coasts. 

 Some of the accounts of " Sea-Serpents " are probably based on 

 this fish, which has been observed to swim with undulating 

 motion and with a small portion of the head as well as the crest- 

 like anterior part of the dorsal fin above the water. 



The fish named Stylopliorus chordatus, which has been referred 

 to this family, is known from a single specimen too imperfectly 

 preserved to afford a clear idea of its affinities. 



Fam. 2. Lophotidae. Mouth moderately protractile ; ventrals 

 very small, if distinct, with 4 or 5 rays ; abdominal cavity 

 extending nearly the whole length of the much elongated body, 

 the vent very far back and followed by a short anal fin ; caudal 

 fin small, not divided. 



A single genus, Lophotes, with 3 or 4 species, from the Medi- 

 terranean, the tropical Atlantic, the Cape of Good Hope, Japan, 

 and New Zealand, reaching a length of 6 feet or more. The 

 dorsal fin commences with an extremely long and strong spine on 

 the head, which is much elevated and truncate in front. 



Sub-Order 11. Opisthomi. 



Air-bladder without open duct. Opercle well developed, 

 hidden under the skin ; supraoccipital in contact with the 

 frontals, separating the parietals. Pectoral arch suspended from 

 the vertebral column, far behind the skull ; no mesocoracoid. 

 Vertical fins with spines. Ventral fins absent. 



This division stands in the same relation to the Acantho- 

 pterygii as do the Apodes to the Malacopterygii. The single 

 family is possibly derived from the Blenniidae. 



Fam. 1. Mastacembelidae. Body more or less Eel-shaped ; 

 a series of short spines detached from the very elongate dorsal 

 fin, which is more or less confluent with the likewise very 

 elongate anal fin. A single nostril on each side. Mouth not 

 protractile, bordered by the praemaxillaries, to the upper border of 

 which the maxillaries are attached. Gill-cleft inferior ; gills 4 ; 

 branchiostegal rays 6 ; no pseudobranchiae. Vertebrae numerous 

 (72-95), the praecaudals with transverse processes bearing the 

 ribs. Scales very small. 



Carnivorous fishes, from fresh and brackish waters of Southern 

 Asia and Tropical Africa. 33 species are known, referable to- 



