xxn HAPLOMI 609 



Europe and North America, referred to 7 genera : Enckodus, 

 Eury'pholis, Pcdaeolycus, If alec, Cimoliclithys, Prionolepis. 



Fam. 4. Esocidae. Margin of the upper jaw formed by the 

 praeniaxillaries and maxillaries, the latter behind the former, and 

 toothless. Supraoccipital in contact with the frontals, separating 

 the small parietals ; opercular bones all well developed ; basis 

 cranii simple. No parapophyses, except to the hindermost prae- 

 caudal vertebrae ; epipleurals and epineurals. Post-temporal forked, 

 the upper branch attached to the epiotic, the lower to the 

 exoccipital ; post-clavicle present. Vertical fins far back ; no 

 adipose dorsal fin. Pectoral fins inserted very low down ; ventrals 

 with 6 to 11 rays. Air-bladder present. 



As in the Haplochitonidae, the neural and haemal arches are 

 bones distinct from the centra, and although parapophyses are 

 not developed, the ribs are not inserted on the centra, but on 

 distinct bases wedged into the latter. 1 Teeth are present on the 

 vomer, palatine, and pharyngeal bones. 



FIG. 368. Skeleton of Esox Indus. (After Jordan and Evermann.) 



A small family of carnivorous freshwater Fishes, including the 

 Pike (Esox*), of predaceous habits, unsurpassed in greediness and 

 voracity, and the small and insignificant-looking Umbra, distin- 

 guished by the more anterior position of the dorsal fin, the larger 

 scales, and the moderately large gape, with feeble villiform teeth. 

 The range of the Esocidae is restricted to the cold and temperate 

 parts of the northern hemisphere. Besides the well-known Esox 

 lucius of Europe, Northern Asia, and the northern parts of 

 North America, growing to a length of 4 feet, and the Maskinongy 

 (E. nolilior) of north-eastern North America, reaching twice that 

 length, the first genus comprises three smaller species from the 

 Eastern United States. Eemains of Esox have been found in 



1 Forming, with the bases of the neurapophyses, the cross-shaped arrangement 

 which has been described in the Pike as well as in Amia. 



VOL. VII 2 R 



