GARMAN : THE CIIIMAEIIOIDS. 267 



rations. The pectoral reaches behind the origin of the second dorsal, and 

 behind the bases of the ventrals, Avliich last extend little farther backward than 

 the origin of the second dorsal. Hinder margin of ventral and upper margin 

 of second dorsal concave. Base of anal short, close to subcaudal, with which 

 its base is united by a membrane; anal depth about e([ual to height of second 

 dorsal. The bases of the anal and the subcaudal of this specimen are about a 

 quarter of an inch apart, excepting the membrane, yet when the anal is at 

 rest its hind border is in contact with nearly the whole anterior edge of the 

 fin behind it. The color of the flanks is silver, of the back is light brownish, 

 and of the fins is brown. Probably the colors vary with age and sex. 



On a specimen of five and three-fourths inches in length the canals of the 

 lateral system are not completely covered, as in the sixteen-incli individual ; 

 they are slit lengthwise, as on Rhinochimaera, but on the larger one they are 

 closed tubes with pores leading to the interior. The pectoral in this example 

 does not reach backward of either the origin of the second dorsal or the base 

 of the ventral. The arrangement of the spines on this small specimen is like 

 that on the larger one ; above the hind edge of the orbit on the outer side of 

 the cranial canal there is a short longitudinal series of two or three ; just inside 

 of this at the inner side of the canal a series begins and extends forward for 

 about twelve spines to the front end of the interorbital space, where it crosses 

 to meet a similar series on the other side of the crown ; close to the inner sides 

 of the posterior extremities of these series there are several spines, sometimes 

 but one ; at each side of the median line, between the dorsals, there is a longi- 

 tudinal series of fourteen or fifteen spines ; a similar row of fourteen spines 

 occurs at each side of the vertebral line between second dorsal and supracaudal. 



Classification. 



The intention in this section is to favor that nomenclature which was first 

 applied with approximate correctness, and to follow the rules of priority in 

 regard to designations for the higher groups as for the lower, the appeal for 

 fair treatment in relation to credit and recognition being admitted to be quite 

 as woithy in the case of the larger as in that of the smaller. It does not ap- 

 pear entirely just to carefully credit authorities for the names of species and at 

 the same time to disregard the claims of those who have determined the values, 

 affinities, and classification. Besides, a general acceptance of prior names tends 

 to abate the multiplication of synonyms. 



The history of the Chimaeroids begins at a much earlier date than that of 

 Linne, as is seen in recognizable figures of Chimaera by Clusius, 1G05, Exoti- 

 corum, page 137, by Aldrovandi, 1613, De Piscibus, Lib. III., pages 402 and 

 403, and by others; but it is no purpose of this writing to present either a 

 complete history, bibliography, or synonymy. A few words on the origin of 

 each of the terms adopted will suffice. 



Linne used the name Chondropterygii in the first edition of his Systema, in 

 1735. lie divided the fishes, as he knew them, into Plagiuri, Chondropterygii, 



