107(«). COTTID^. 680 
and shores of northern regions ; many species found in fresh waters. 
The group, as here understood, comprises a considerable variety of 
forms, and is very dimcult to define, as it grades into the Liparididce 
on the one hand, and into the Scorpcenidce on the other. Most -of the 
species are of small size and singular aspect, and none are valued as 
food. The genera have been probably too much multiplied, and sev- 
eral of them can be only provisionally accepted. 
( Triglidoe, ■rroup Cottina, pt. ; group Scorpmnina, part, Giintlier, ii ; family Fsijchro- 
lutidoe Giintlier, iii, 516, 517.) 
a. Spinous dorsal longer than soft part, of more than 14 spines. {Ilemitripterince.) 
b. Spinous dorsal deeply notched, the anterior spines highest; skin rough, with 
prickles and tubercles; teeth on vomer 
and palatines ; gill-membrane free from 
isthmus; no slit behind last gill. 
Hemitripterus, 361. 
aa. Spinous dorsal shorter than soft part, of less than 13 spines, 
c. Ventral tins wanting. (Ascelichthyince.) 
d. Skin naked; no slit behind fourth gill; gill-membrane free from isthmus; 
teeth on vomer and palatines. 
Ascelichthys, 362. 
cc. Ventral fins present. 
e. Spinous dorsal little der'eloped, continuous with the soft dorsal, the spines 
slender, concealed in the loose naked 
skin; gill-membranes broadly joined to 
the isthmus; no slit behind last gill. 
{Psychrolutinoe.) 
f. Vomer and palatines toothless Psychrolutes, 363. 
ff. Vomer with teeth Cottunculus, 364. 
ec. Spinous dorsal not concealed. 
g. Gill-openings extending below at least to the base of lowest pectoral 
ray. (Cottmoe.) 
h. Slit behind last gill obsolete*; vomer with teeth. 
i. Gill-membranes broadly united to the isthmus, not forming a fold 
across it; head feebly armed; palatine teeth few or none. 
Uraxidea, 366. 
ii. Gill-membranes free from isthmus, or else forming a broad fold 
across it ; head well armed. 
j. Palatine teeth well developed; body usually more or less 
scaly ICELUS, 365. 
jj. Paliitiue teeth none ; body without trhe scales COTTUS, 367. 
hh. Slit behind last gill evident. 
k. Vomer without teeth; preopercular spine with antler-like pro- 
cesses; gill-membranes forming a fold 
across isthmus.. .Ga'MX^acaxthus, 368. 
kk. Vomer with teeth. 
1. Skin not hispid, t 
* A round pore in some species of Coitus. 
t Partly villous in TrigJops. 
