NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 229 



evidently did not belong to that species, as the body gradually diminished for 

 the latter half " to the tail, which ended in a blunt point ;" the "dorsal fin 

 extended from the head to the tail ;" "both sides of the fish were white, with 

 four longitudinal bars of a darker color ; the one immediately below the dorsal 

 fin was about two inches broad, each of the other three about three-fourths of 

 an inch. The side line straight along the middle." "Its head had been 

 broken off and quite gone." 



In all the points thus enumerated, the Scotch fish decidedly differs from the 

 species of the genus Lepturus, and it is equally distinguished from the Lepi- 

 doj>iis caudatus by its bars of color, the latter, like Lepturus, having uniform 

 silvery sides. It is true that Hoy denies ventral and anal fins, but it must be 

 remembered that he was not a scientific ichthyologist ; the ventral scales, as 

 well as the anal fin, had also, perhaps, been lost, or, preoccupied with the 

 idea that his fish was the Lepturus ; Hoy did not carefully look for them. But 

 whether this hypothesis is right or wrong, it is evident that Hoy had neither a 

 Lepturus nor Lepidopus before him, and another large species of the sea remains 

 to be confirmed by British naturalists as a visitant to their waters. The third 

 edition of Yarrell s work is unknown to me, but its rediscovery can scarcely 

 be signalized in it, since no mention is made of it in the subsequent work of 

 Gunther. 



The following table indicates the relative proportions of the Evoxymetopon 

 tceniatus. 



Extreme length 100. 



Body Greatest height 8 ; Height at anus 6\ ; height of tail between anus 

 and caudal fin 5 ; least height of tail J. 



Head Greatest length 12 ; distance from snout to nape 7 ; length of snout 

 A\ ; length of operculum 4^ ; length of lower jaw 5. 



Orbit Diameter 2 ; distance from profile 21. 



Dorsal Height at first spine 3 ; height at second spine 3| ; height at ray 

 above anus If ; height at ray between anus and caudal 1. 



Caudal Length of external rays 3|. 



Pectoral Distance from snout at upper axilla 14 ; length 6$. 



Ventral Distance from snout 17^ ; length 2|. 



Synopsis of the North American GADOID FISHES. 

 BY THEODORE GILL. 



In this paper I have corrected some errors that were copied in the " Cata- 

 logue of the Fishes of North America," and an endeavor has been made to 

 distribute the species, approximately at least, among their natural groups and 

 genera. The whole family yet requires a careful revision, and the chief points 

 to be cleared are rather referred to and indicated than elucidated. May those 

 who are more fortunately situated carefully elaborate the subject ! 

 I. Caudal fin distinct. Lateral line continuous. 



A. Anterior dorsal fin developed as a true and separate fin. 

 B. Ventral fins normally developed, with (3 ) five to 

 seven rays. 



1. Posterior dorsal, as well as anal, sinuated or 



emarginated behind middle. Vertebra? with their 

 neural spines developed, and wedged one into 



the other. Frontal bones double Mekluciiw^:. 



* Teeth of inner row elongated, moveable Merlucius. 



2. Posterior dorsal and anal fins double. Vertebra? 



with moderate neural spines Gadinje. 



o. Lower jaw longer. Barbel absent or rudimen- 

 tary 



* Teeth of upper jaw of equal size Pollachius. 



1863.] 



