107(a). COTTID^. 683 



and shores of uorthern regions ; many species found in fresli waters. 

 The grouj), as here understood, comprises a considerable variety of 

 forms, and is very difiticalt to define, as it grades into the LiparidkUe 

 on the one hand, and into the Scorpccnidw on the other. Most of the 

 species are of small size and singular aspect, aiul none are valued as 

 food. Tbe genera have been probably too much multiplied, and sev- 

 eral of them can be only provisionally accepted. 



{Triglidw, group Cottina, pt.; groui) Scoiyanina, part, Giintbcr, ii; family Psychro- 

 liitidw Giinther, iii, 51G, 517.) 



a. Spinous ilorsal longer thau soft part, of more than 14 spines. {Hemitripterinm.) 

 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. 



Hemitriptkkus, 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 deA^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, 3()3. 



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. (Cottinne.) 

 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. 



UUANIDEA, 366. 

 ii. Gill-membranes free from isthmus, or else forming a broad fold 

 across it; lu^ad well armed. 

 j. Palatine teeth well developed; body usually more or less 



scaly ICKLUS, 365. 



jj. Palatine teeth none; body without true 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.. .Gymnacaxthus, 368. 

 M. Vomer with teeth. 

 {. Skin not hispid, t 



* A round pore in some species of Cotius. 

 t Partly villous in Triglopa. 



