592 ORDER CHONDROPTKRYGII. 



Chimera ', L., 



Exhibit the closest relation with the squali by their 

 general form, and the position of their fins ; but all 

 their gills open externally by a single hole apparent 

 on each side, though on penetrating more deeply, we 

 see that they are attached by a great part of their 

 edges, and that there are in reality five particular 

 holes leading to the bottom of the general hole. 

 They have, nevertheless, a vestige of operculum con- 

 cealed under the skin. Their jaws are still more re- 

 duced than in the squali, for the palatine and tympanic 

 bones are also simple vestiges suspended to the sides 

 of the muzzle, and the upper jaw is represented only 

 by the vomer. Some hard and indivisible plates 

 furnish the jaws instead of teeth, four to the upper, 

 two to the lower. The muzzle, supported like that 

 of the squali, projects in front, and is pierced by 

 pores disposed on rather regular lines ; the first 

 dorsal, armed with a strong prickle, is placed above 

 the pectorals ; the males are recognized, like those of 

 the squali, by osseous appendages to the ventrals, but 

 which are divided into three branches, and they have, 

 moreover, two spinous laminae, situated in front of 

 the base of the same ventrals. Finally, they have 

 between the eyes a fleshy shred terminated by a 



1 This name has been given to them in consequence of their fan- 

 tastic figure, which even appears monstrous when they have been 

 dried with insufficient care, as were the first individuals represented 

 by Clusius, Aldrovandus, &c. 



