class pisces. 215 



Pectorales Pediculati, 



Of some acanthopterygii, whose carpal bones are 

 elongated so as to form a sort of arm, which supports 

 their pectorals. It comprises two genera, which are 

 closely approximated, although authors have gene- 

 rally placed them at a distance from each other, and 

 which are closely allied to the gobioides. 



Lophius, Lin. 



The general character of this genus, independently 

 of the semi-cartilaginous skeleton, and the naked skin, 

 consists in the pectorals being supported by two arms, 

 as it were, each of which is formed of two bones that 

 have been compared to the radius and ulna, but 

 which in reality belong to the carpus, and which in 

 this genus are longer than in any other ; in the ven- 

 trals being placed very far before these pectorals ; in 

 opercula and branchiostegous rays enveloped in the 

 skin ; and, finally, in the only opening of the gills 

 being a hole situated behind the said pectorals. They 

 are voracious fishes, with a wide stomach, and short 

 intestine, which survive a long time out of water, on 

 account of the smallness of their branchial apertures '. 



Lophius (proper), Cuv., 

 The head excessively large in proportion to the rest 



N.B. Lophius from Xotyia, (pinna) on account of the crests 

 of their head : the ancients named them ftarpa-^pQ, and rana, 

 (frog). 



