RHOMBOSOLEIN^ 



Subfamily 5. RHOMBOSOLEIN^. 



Dorsal fin commencing just behind the nasal organ of the blind side or extending 

 forward on the snout above it ; pelvic fins asymmetrical, that of ocular side median, 

 elongate, extending forward to the urohyal, supported by a cartilaginous plate placed 

 in advance of the cleithra, its anterior ray well in advance of first ray of that of blind 

 side, which, if present, is small, with the base short or of moderate length ; no pectoral 

 radials, the rays inserted on the hypercoracoid ; hypocoracoids narrowed forward 

 below. Parapophyses of praecaudal vertebrae not united. Olfactory laminae with 

 or without a central rachis. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body. 

 Dentition stronger on blind side of jaws. Gill-membranes united. No pyloric 

 appendages. 



Eight genera from .southern South America, southern Australia, and from New 

 Zealand. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



I. Both pelvic fins developed. 



A. Pelvic of ocular side free from anal. 



1. Lateral line with distinct curve above pectoral ; pelvic of ocular 



side with 6 rays. 



a. Jaws stronger on blind side ; branchial septum with a large foramen 



between lower pharyngeals and urohyal ; first ray of dorsal 

 much modified, contained in a groove on blind side of head ; 

 lateral line with several transverse accessory branches 



36. Oncopterus. 



b. Jaws stronger on ocular side ; branchial septum entire ; first 



ray of dorsal fin not modified ; lateral line with a supratemporal 

 branch, but no other accessory branches . . 37. Psammodiscus. 



2. Lateral line with very low curve above pectoral ; pelvic of ocular 



side with 10 or II rays ...... 38. Azygopus. 



B. Pelvic of ocular side united with anal. 



1 . Origin of dorsal above eye ; snout not produced ; nasal organ of 



blind side nearly on edge of head ; jaws nearly symmetrical 



39. Pelotretis. 



2. Origin of dorsal in front of eye ; snout produced to form a fleshy hook ; 



nasal organ of blind side nearly opposite to that of ocular side ; jaws 

 stronger on blind side 



a. Mouth visible on ocular side ; none of the pectoral rays prolonged ; 



lower lip of ocular side fringed. 



a.. Olfactory laminae parallel, without rachis ; dorsal and anal rays 

 scaled, without basal sheath ; gill-rakers tubercular, few 

 in number ...... 40. Ammotretis. 



(i. Olfactory laminae radiating from a short central rachis ; dorsal 

 and anal rays not scaled, a low scaled sheath at bases of fins 

 on ocular side ; gill-rakers short, rather numerous 41. Colistium. 



b. Mouth nearly or quite hidden on ocular side by a membranous 



flap ; second upper ray of pectoral of ocular side prolonged, 

 filamentous ; lower lip of ocular side not fringed 



42. Peltorhamphus. 



n. Pelvic fin of ocular .side only developed, united with anal . 43. Rhombosolea. 



