Jordan and Evermann. — Fishes of Nortli America. 405 



and quadrate Ijoues ; uo palatine bones nor distinct posterior bony ele- 

 ments to the mandible ; an imperfect scapular arch remote from the skull ; 

 vertebrae separately ossified but imperfect. (Gill and Ryder.) 



This order consists of eel-shaped fishes found in the deep seas. It is 

 apparently a degraded type, perhaps an offshoot from some eel-like form. 

 It is characterized by a general looseness of structure and lack of speciali- 

 zation, uni(iue among the true fishes. " The branchial arches are reduced 

 to very simple bars, on the side of the ojsophagus, and have no con- 

 nection with the cranium ; the palato-pterygoid arch is entirely wanting ; 

 th»- suspensorium for tlio lower jaw is composed of only two pieces, the 

 hyomandibuhir and the ([uadrate, of an elongate, subcylindrical form 

 and connected with the skull by a movable joint which allows it to be 

 swung in all directions." 



These fishes have very singular pedunculated appendages in place of 

 the lateral line, "The entire organization is peculiar, to the extent of 

 anomaly, and our old conceptions of the characteristics of a fish require 

 to be modified in the light of our knowledge of such strange beings." 

 (Gill.) Dr. Gill is disposed to regard the various records as indicating 

 the existence of two distinct families, Saccopharyngida; and EiDi/pharyngidw, 

 each represented in our waters by one species. {?diu, to loosen ; r^epoc, part.) 



Family LIV. SACCOPHARYNGID^. 



(The Gulpers.) 



Lyomerl with the branchio-anal portion much longer than the rostro- 

 branchial ; the tail excessively elongate and attenuated ; the cranium 

 unknown; the eyes antero-lateral : the maxillary bones moderately 

 extended backwards (in comparison with the Eurypharyngida-), and 

 apparently not closable against each other ; enlarged teeth in one or both 

 jaws ; the dorsal and anal fins feebly developed, the pectorals small but 

 broad. Body eel-shaped, the bones deficient in inorganic matter ; muscles 

 feebly developed, except those connected with swallowing. Jaws very 

 elongate, the gape, pharynx, and stomach capable of great distension. 

 The trunk moderate, with the vent at its end ; snout very short, one 

 nostril on each side in front of the very small eye ; maxillary and man- 

 dible slender, armed with feeble teeth in one or two series ; roof of mouth 

 toothless. Gill openings far behind cranium, placed low; gills very 

 short, and small. Tail excessively elongate, band-shaped, tapering to a 

 point. Dorsal and anal low, rudimentary. Pectorals present, small but 

 broad. Deep seas, but few specimens being on record. These have been 

 referred to three species and two genera, but the assigned distinctive 

 characters of genera and species are all doubtful. 



195. SACCOPHARYNX, Mitcliill. 



Sacrnphnninx, JliTcnii.l,, Ann. Lye. Nut. Hist. N. V., 1824, 82, (no specific name ; tlie type after- 

 wards called S. Jlagellum). 

 Ophicijmillnm^ Hauwood, Pliilos. Trans., 1S27, 277, (<im/iH»<i(CH.s). 



Supposed characters of the genus indicated above. {m'lKKnr, sack; 

 <papvyi, pharynx, the inflated throat resembling the sack of a pelican.) 



