754 CONTRIBUTIONS TO NORTH AMERICAN ICHTHYOLOGY IV. 



tliein (Clinin(c) are ovoviviparous. Professor Gill divides this group 

 iuto several families (Anarrhichadidce, Blenniidcc, CebediclitJnjidw, Xiphi- 

 diontida', Stichaida', and CryptacanthiddBj but the second, third, fourth, 

 and fifth of these groups at least are very closely allied. Genera about 

 40 ; species about 250. 

 (BUnniidir pt. Giinther, iii, 206-294.) 



* Molar teeth none. 



a. Teeth long and slender, curved, hook-like or comb-like: in front of jaws only; 



body naked; dorsal with many soft rays; 

 ventral fins well developed. Species 

 carnivorous, oviparous, chiefly tropical. 

 (Blenniina:.') 



b. Anterior teeth canine-like, unequal; some of the teeth movable; others angu- 

 larly bent; gill-membranes free from isth- 

 mus OPHIOBLENNIUS, 401. 



lib. Anterior teeth comb-like, equal ; teeth all fixed. 



c. Gill-membranes broadly united to the isthmus, the gill-openings restricted to 



the sides. 



d. Mouth large, the head rather pointed; no canines CHASM ODES, 402. 



dd. Mouth small; the head decurved in profile. 



e. Canine teeth none ISKSTIIES, -103. 



?. Canine teeth present in one or both jaws posteriorly. 



HYPLEUROCHILUS, 404. 



cc. Gill-membranes free from the isthmus, or at least forming a fold across it; 



posterior canines present . . BLENNIUS, 405. 

 CM. Teeth conic, not comb-like. 

 /. Body scaly. 



g. Lateral line present (or more or less obsolete), single, high in front, 



abruptly curved above pectorals, becom- 

 ing median posteriorly ; dorsal fin with 

 one or more soft rays; gill-membranes 



free from isthmus; veutrals well devel- 







oped. Species carnivorous, ovovivipa- 

 rous, rhirlly tropical. (L'Unlnte,.) 

 h. Soft dorsal of numerous rays; scales small. 

 t. Maxillary greatly developed, ivurhing far beyond eye; teeth on 



vomer and palatines NKOCI.INUS, 406. 



ii. Maxillary moderate. 



j. Air-bladder obsolete ; caudal fin rounded CLIXUS, 407. 



ii. Air-bladder large; caudal forked; teeth on palatines. 



HKTKKOSTICHUS, 408. 



Jih. Soft dorsal of a single ray; scales ratlier large; a notch behind 



third spine of dorsal. 



CRKMXOBATES, 409. 



gg. Lateral line, if present, straight, concurrent with tlie back; some- 

 times branched or duplicated. 

 k. Mouth horizontal or nearly so. 



1. Gill-openings not continued forward below, tlio membranes 

 broadly united, free from isthmus or not; 

 ventral tins very small or wanting. Spe- 

 cies carnivorous or herbivorous; ovipa- 

 rous (T) Arctic or subarctic. (Xiphiite- 

 rincE.) 



