PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 215 



SYNOPSIS OF THE PEDIOUIiATE FISHES OF THE EASTERN COAST OF 

 EXTRATROPIt'AE NORTH AMERICA. 



By THEODORE OlEL. 



The present sketch of the North American Pediculate Fishes is ex- 

 tracted from a general work on the tishes of the corresponding region, 

 which it is proposed to publish in instalments and as convenience 

 may dictate. The issue of that relative to the Pediculates seems to be 

 at least as much called for as any other on account of the recent addi- 

 tions to our knowledge of the group and the rarity of the volumes in 

 which those additions have been recorded. The recent discovery, too, 

 of so many northern and deep-sea forms not far from our eastern coast 

 renders it possible that any of the types herein enumerated may be 

 found in the same waters, and the present synopsis may lead to their 

 ready identification. The knowledge of the northern forms is chiefly 



due to Dr. Liitken. 



Synopsis of Families. 



la. Brauchial apertures in or behind the inferior axillj© of the pectoral fins ; anterior 

 dorsal ray superior; mouth more or less opening upwards ; the lower jaw 

 generally projecting beyond or closing in front of upper. 

 2a. Pseudobracbia with three actinosts ; pseudobranchije not developed. 



3a. Pectoral members geniculated, with elongated pseudobracbia ; ventral fins 



developed Antennariid^. 



36. Pectoral members not geniculated, with moderate pseudobracbia ; ventral 



fins suppressed Ceratiid^. 



2b. Pseudobracbia with two actinosts; pseudobranchise developed. 



3. Pectoral members little geniculated, but with elongated pseudobracbia ; 



ventral fins separated by wide interval Lophiidjb. 



15. Branchial apertures in the superior axillaj of the pectoral fins ; anterior dorsal ray 

 in a cavity overhung by the anterior margin of the forehead; mouth sub- 

 terminal or inferior, the lower jaw being generally received within the 

 upper Maltheid^. 



ANTENNARITD^. 



Pediculates with elongated geniculate pseudobracbia, provided with 

 three actinosts, i. e., 



Pediculates with a compressed body; the mouth opening upwards; 

 the branchial apertures i>erforated in the lovzer axils of the pectorals; 

 no pseudobranchiae; the dorsals represented by (1) at least a frontal or 

 superior rostral spine, and (2) an oblong soft dorsal; the pectoral mem- 

 bers distinctly geniculated, with elongated pseudobracbia and three 

 actinosts; and with well developed and ai)i)roximated ventrals. 



ANTENNAKIINiE. 



Antennariids with the body oval and with tumid abdomen, the head 

 compressed, the mouth quite large ; teeth on the palate as well as jaws j 

 spinous dorsal represented by three spines; soft dorsal quite elevated ; 

 and pelvic bones elongated. 



