57. SC0MHERES0CIDJ3. 371 



Ordee Q-SYNENTOGNATHI. 



[The Syncntognathoiis Fishes.) 



Lower phaiyugcal bones fully united ; second and third superior pha- 

 ryngeals much enlarged, oval, not articulated to the cranium, sending 

 processes forwards ; the fourth wanting. Ventral fins abdominal, without 

 spine, the rays more than o. Scapula suspended to the cranium by a 

 post-temporal bone, which is slender and furcate. Parietal bone much 

 ^reduced. Supraclavicle not distinct; no interclavicle. Basis of cranium 

 double in front, but Avithout muscular tube. Fins without spines. Air- 

 bladder usually large, without pneumatic duct. This order includes 

 only the family of >Scomheresocida', and marks the transition from the 

 Fhysostomi to the AcanthopterL Its relations with the Haplomi are very 

 intimate, (^yy, together; evro-, within; yyaOoc;, jnw.) 

 {Physostomi pt. family Scomberenockhe GUutber, vi, "233-"29d. ) 



Family LVIL— SCOMBERESOCID^. 



(The Gar-fishes and Flying fishes.) 



Bodj^ oblong or elongate, covered with cycloid scales, which are usu- 

 ally deciduous. Lateral line running very low, along the sides of the 

 belly. Head more or less scaly, usually with vertical sides. Moutli 

 various, the jaws being often prolonged into a beak. Premaxillaries not 

 protractile, hinged at base mesially; margin of the upper jaw cliiefly 

 formed by the i^remaxillaries ; the short maxillaries often entering the 

 lateral margin ; maxillary often anchyclosed with the premaxillary ; its 

 edge slipping under the front of the i)reorbital. Dentition various. 

 Dorsal fin without spines, inserted on the i)osterior part of the body, 

 opposite tlie anal and usually similar to it. Yentrals abdominal, of sev- 

 eral soft rays, usually inserted posteriorly. No adipose fin. Pectoral 

 fin inserted high, sometimes used as an organ of flight. Caudal fin 

 usually forked, the lower lobe the longer. Vent close in front of anal. 

 Nostrils large, double, near the eye. Lower pharyngeals fully united. 

 Gillmcmbranes not united, free from the isthmus. Pseudobranchiae 

 bidden, glandular. Gill-rakers various. Gills 4, a slit behind the 

 fourth. Air-bladder usually large, sometimes cellular. Intestinal canal 

 usually simple, without coeca. Carnivorous. One genus {Zenarchop- 



