BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. . 593 



Division IX. ACANTH. GOBHrOEMES. 



The spinous dorsal or spinous portion of the dorsal always 

 present, short, either composed of flexible spines or much less 

 developed than the soft ; the soft dorsal and anal fins of equal 

 extent. Ventrals thoracic or jugular, if present, composed of one 

 spina and five, rarely four soft rays. A prominent anal papilla. 



Family XXYII. GOBIID^. 



Body elongate, low, naked or scaly. Teeth generally small, 

 sometimes with canines. The infraorbital ring does not articulate 

 with the preeoperculum. The two dorsal fins separated or more 

 or less united, the spinous portion being always the less developed 

 and composed of flexible spines ; the anal similarly developed as 

 the soft dorsal ; ventrals with one spine and five rays, sometimes 

 both ventrals united into a disk. Gill openings more or less 

 narrow, the gill membrane being attached to the isthmus ; four 

 gills ; pseudobranchise. A j)rominent papilla near the vent. Air 

 bladder generally absent. Pyloric appendages none. 



Genus Gobius, Artedi. 



Body more or less elongate, scaly. Teeth in several series in 

 the upper jaw, conical and fixed, generally small, sometimes with 

 canines. Two dorsal fins, the anterior with six, rarely with five 

 or more flexible spines, the posterior of greater, sometimes much 

 greater extent than the anterior. Anal fin similar to the posterior 

 dorsal in form and size, terminating at some distance from the 

 caudal. Ventrals united into a disk which is not attached to the 

 belly. Anal papilla generally distinct. Gill opening vertical, 

 of moderate width, the gill membranes united to the isthmus. 

 Branchiostegals five ; gills four ; pseudobranchise. VertebrEe 

 11-12/15-16. 



Found in all seas and in many rivers. 



