CLASS PISCES. 433 



laries, which form all its superior edge, are furnished, 

 as well as the palatines, the anterior end of the 

 vomer, and the lower jaw, with a narrow band of 

 pectiniform teeth ; but the tongue only exhibits some 

 degree of roughness, as well as the level part of the 

 bones of the palate. The maxillaries are large and 

 without teeth, as in the great majority of fishes ; their 

 ventrals are almost under the pectorals, and their 

 external rays are thick, and only forked. The first 

 dorsal corresponds to the first moiety of the interval 

 which separates them from the anal. There are 

 twelve rays to the gills. Some large ciliated scales 

 cover the body, the cheeks, and the opercula. 



The Mediterranean produces a single species of 

 this fish, Salmo filamentosus, Bl., Berl., Schr. X. ix. 2. 



Sternoptyx, Herman., 



Are small fishes with a high and very much com- 

 pressed body, supported by the ribs ; the mouth is di- 

 rected upwards ; the numerals form a trenchant crest 

 in front, terminated below by a small spine ; the 

 bones of the pelvis form another, also terminated by a 

 small spine in front of the ventrals, which are small 

 enough to have escaped the first observer. Along the 

 crest of the pelvis, on each side, is a series of small 

 fossettes, which have been regarded as a festooned 

 fold of the sternum, and given rise to the name of 

 Sternoptyx. In front of their first dorsal is an 

 osseous, or membranous crest, which appertains to 

 the anterior interspinals, and behind this fin is a small 

 vol. x. f f 



