NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 511 



Acanthopterygii cottoidei buccis inermibus ; membrana branchiostega radiis 6 

 sustentata ; pinnis dorsali analique elongatis, pinna dorsali radiis spinosis 

 paucibus pinnam parvam distinctam formantibus ; pinnis pectoralibus radiis 

 inferioribus ramosis ; pinnis ventralibus jngularibus, sat remotis, radiis I, 5 ; 

 ventriculo ca?cali, caacis pyloricis paucibus. 



Bodypblong, generally higbest under tbe first dorsal fin, subcylindrical or 

 even depressed in front, with the caudal peduncle moderate. Skin naked. 

 Lateral line high on the sides, ending near the termination of the second dor- 

 sal, continued in front on the head, and connected by a transverse nuchal line 

 with the opposite one. Head moderate, depressed and subcordate or sub- 

 rhomboid above. Preorbital bones moderate and lateral : infraorbital small 

 and not connected with the preoperculum. Opercular bones all present. 

 Operculum and suboperculum spinigerous. Mouth terminal, with the cleft 

 moderate and lateral, extending near or beneath the eyes. Upper jaw with 

 its arch chiefly formed by the intermaxillary bones, which are scarcely pro- 

 tractile and have very short posterior processes. Supramaxillaries expanded 

 towards ends. Teeth on the jaws. Palate unarmed. Branchial apertures 

 principally lateral. Branchiostegal membrane beneath emarginated behind, 

 and sustained on each side by six rays. Pseudobranchise developed. Dorsal 

 fin double, with a short spinous portion distinct from the soft, and partly 

 above the bases of the pectorals. Anal fin shorter than the second dorsal. 

 Caudal fin not forked. Pectoral fins well developed, and with its inferior rays 

 branched. Ventral fins jugular, separated by a rhomboid area, and with a 

 spine and five branched rays. The cranium has only "a very short occipital 

 spine, which does not rise above the hind head, and is not visible in the re- 

 cent fish." The vertebra are in increased number ( X_) ; the vertebral 



column of Harpagifer bispinis has eleven abdominal, and, according to Richard- 

 son, twenty-four caudal, but Giinther was unable to find more than eighteen. 

 The stomach is enseal, and the pyloric branch has a few appendages. The air 

 bladder is obsolete. 



This family is readily recognizable by its cottoid form, combined with small 

 suborbital bones, armed opercula, perfect and jugular ventral fins, branched 

 lower pectoral rays, and elongated dorsal and anal fins, the former of which 

 has its spinous rays forming a small separate fin. Its lateral line, connected 

 at the nape to its fellow, is also one of its most distinctive characters. 



The nearest allies appear to be the Chzenichthyoids, Notothenioids, Bovich- 

 thyoids, and more remotely the Callionymoids. 



From the Chaenichthyoids, the Harpagiferoids are principally distinguished 

 by the form of the head and body, and the anterior extension of the lateral 

 line. 



From the Notothenioids, by the scaleless body and armed opercula, and the 

 different physiognomy. 



From the Bovichthyoids, they are separated by the branched inferior rays 

 of the pectoral fins, unarmed palate and small first dorsal fin. 



From the Callionymoids, they are still more widely removed by the structure 

 of the head, the form of the pubic bones, and the corresponding relations of 

 the ventral fins, the greater development of the dorsal and anal fins and struc- 

 ture of the anal, as well as by the larger branchial apertures, caecal stomach, 

 and pyloric creca. 



The only known genus was placed by Richardson near Callionymus. 

 Dr. Bleeker regarded Callionymus, Harpagifer and Chcenichthys as members of 

 the family of Callionymoidei. 



Dr. Gunther referred it to the family Trachinida? and group Pseudochromides 

 and afterwards to the group Notothenina, together with Notothenia and 

 Choznichthys. 



The Harpagiferoids are confined to the seas of high southern latitudes and 

 there appear to represent the Cottoids of the boreal seas. 



1861.] 



