370 OPHIDIID^. 



Fam.4. OPHIDIIDiE. 



Gadoidei, pt., et Malacopterygii apodes, pt., Curier. 

 Ophidini et Animodytidae, Mdller, Owen, 



Body more or less elongate, naked or scaly. Vertical fins generally 

 united into one ; no separate anterior dorsal or anal ; dorsal occupying 

 the greater portion of the back. Ventral fins rudimentary (reduced 

 to a filament) or absent, jugular (except in BrotuJophis). Gill-open- 

 ings wide, the giU-membranes not attached to the isthmus. Pyloric 

 appendages none, or in small number. 



Inhabitants of the seas of nearly all regions. 



Synopsis of the Groiips and Genera. 

 First Group : Brotulina. 

 Ventral fins present, attached to the humeral arch. 



Snout with barbels ; eye of moderate size 1. Brotula, j5. 371. 



Eye none, or quite rudimentary 2. Lucifuoa, p. 372. 



Barbel none ; lateral line continuous, simple ; 



canine teeth none 3. Sibembo, p. 373. 



Body naked ; a pair of canine teeth superiorly 



and inferiorly 4. Xiphogadus, p. 374. 



Caudal free 5. Dinematichthts, p. 374. 



Barbel none; lateral line interrupted 6. Bytiiites, p. 375. 



Barbel none ; lateral line double along a por- 

 tion of the tail 7. Pteridium, p. 375. 



{Appendix.) — Ventrals opposite the pectoral ; 

 vomerine teeth none 8. Beotulophis, p. 376. 



Second Ch^oup : Ophidiiua. 



Ventral fins replaced by a pair of bifid filaments (barbels) inserted 

 below the glossohyal. 



Palatine teeth small 9. Ophidium, p. 376. 



All outer series of strong teeth in the jaws and 



on the palatine bones 10. Genypterus, p. 379. 



Tldrd Group: Fierasferina. 

 No ventral fins whatever ; vent at the throat. 



Pectoral fins present 11. Fierasfer, p. 381. 



Pectoral fins none 12. Encheliophis, p. 384. 



Fourth Group : Ammodytina. 



No ventral fins whatever ; vent remote from the head ; gill-open- 

 ings very wide, the gUl- membranes not being united. 



Skin with longitudinal folds 13. Ammodytes, p. 384. 



Scales of moderate size 14. Bleekeria, p. 387. 



