Jordan and Evermann. — Fishes of North America. 



2883 



DD. Gill membranes joined to the isthmus; a sucking disk formed of 

 the ventral tins. 



E. Skin perfectly smooth ; spinous dorsal not distinct. 



CLXXXIII, LiPARiDiD.E, 2105. 

 EE. Skin with tubercles or spines, or else with a distinct spinous 



dorsal CLXXXII, C YCLOPTERlDiE, 2094. 



GC. Breast without sucking disk. 



F. Gill membranes broadly attached to the isthmus. 



G. Ventrals completely united CLXXXYIII, GoBiiD^, 2188. 



GG. Ventrals widely separated; body depressed ; preopercle with a 



strong spine CLXXXVII, Callionymid.e, 2181. 



FF. Gill membranes nearly or (juite free from the isthmus. 

 H. Anal preceded by 2 free spines (these lost with age ; connected by 

 membranes in the very young).. CXXV, Carangid.e, 895. 

 HH. Anal without free spines. 



I. Dorsal and anal fins followed by finlets.CXVIII, Scombrid.e, 863. 

 II. Dorsal and anal without finlets. 

 J. Suborbital with a bony stay; no free anal spines. 



CLXXIX, COTTIDyE, 1879, 



JJ. Suborbital without bony stay. 

 K. Mouth very large, nearly horizontal, the teeth sharp ; no pseudo- 



branchia- CXCIII, Chiasm( >domtii).e, 2291. 



KK. Mouth large, nearly vertical; body compressed; preopercle 



armed with spines CXCV, Trichooontid.e, 2295. 



AA. Gill openings small, behind, above, or below the pectoral fins, 

 which are more or less pediculate. 

 L. Gill openings in or behind upper axil of pectorals ; mouth small. 



CCXXIV, Ogcocepiialid.e, 2735. 

 LL. Gill openings in or behind lower axil of pectoral; mouth large. 

 M. Head compressed; no pseudobranchi:e. 



CCXXII, AXTENNAKIID.E, 2715. 



MM. Head depressed ; pseudobrauchia- present. 



CCXXI, LoPHiiD.E, 2713. 



in.— VENTEAL FINS PEESENT, THORACIC OR JUGULAR, THE NUMBER 

 OF RAYS NOT DEFINITELY I, 5. 



A. Eyf's unsvmmetrical, both on the same side of head. 



B. Eyes large, well separated; edge of preopercle usually evident. 



CCXIX, Pleuronectid.e, 2602. 

 BB. Eyes small, verv close together; edge of preopercle hidden by 



, ' skin ; mouth very small CCXX, Soleid.e, 2692, 



AA. Eyes symmetrical, one on each side of the head. 



C. V«^utral rays Avith or without spine, the number of soft rays more 



than 5. 



D. Caudal fin wanting; scales spinous. .CCXV, Macrourid.e, 2561. 

 DD. Caudal fin well developed. 



E. Tail isocercal, the vertebrie progressively smaller to base of cau- 



dal; ventrals jugular; no spines in any of the fins. 



F. .Taws and vomer with strong canines; second dorsal and anal 



deeply notched; no barbel.. CCXIII, Merlucciid.e, 2529. 

 FF. Jaws and vomer without distinct canines; chin usually with a 



barbel CCXIV, Gaoid.e, 2.531. 



EE. Tail not isocercal, the last vertebra' not reduced in size. 



G. Ventral ravs about 15 ; dorsal fin single, elevated. 



CXXX, Lampridid-e, 953. 



GG. Ventral rays I, 3 or I, 5? dorsal very high. 



CXXXI, Pteracmdid.e, 95o, 

 GGG. Ventral rays I, 6 to I. 10; dorsal with spines. 



