1 66 



A HISTORY OF FISHES 



the first two or three vertebrae in the Cyprinoids and Siluroids 

 in connection with the so-called Weberian mechanism will be 

 fully described in the next chapter. 



B 



Fig. 67. — MODIFICATIONS OF VERTEBRAL COLUMN. 



A. Three vertebrae from the tail of Sail-fish {Istiophorus sp.), X i ; b. First eight 

 vertebrae of Stylophorus chordatus,x 2- (After Regan); c. Anterior part of 

 vertebral column and spinal cord (above) of Eustomias brevibarbatus. (After 

 Regan and Trewavas); d. Skull and first vertebra of Chauliodus sloanei. (After 

 Regan and Trewavas.) 



Before leaving the skeleton, attention may be drawn to the 

 curious bright green colour of the bones in the Gar-fishes 

 {Belonidae), Skippers {Scombresocidae) and allied forms. This 

 is unique among fishes, and remains even after cooking. There 



