SCOAIUKKSOCIDiE. 233 



Fam. 14. SCOMBRESOCID^. 



Scomberesoces s. I^haryngognathi malacopterygii, Miiller, AhhaiKll. 

 Akud. Wiss. Bed. 1842, p. 17U. 



Body covered with scales ; a series of keeled scales 

 along each side of the belly. Margin of the upper 

 jaw formed by the intermaxillaries mesially, and by 

 the maxillaries laterally. Lower pharyngeals united 

 into a single bone. J3orsal fin opposite the anal, 

 belonging to the caudal portion of the vertebral co- 

 lumn. Adipose fin none. Air-bladder generally pre- 

 sent, simple, sometimes cellular, without pneumatic 

 duct. Pseudobranchise hidden, glandular. Stomach 

 not distinct from the intestine, which is quite straight, 

 without appendages. 



Marine fishes of the temperate and tropical zones, many species 

 entering or inhabiting fresh waters. 



At the commencement of my account of the PJujsostoml it was my 

 intention to keep the /Scombresocen as a distinct order, ■\^z. Mala- 

 coj)teri/(/!i itliarijmjognathi ; however, during the progress of a de- 

 tailed examination of these fishes so many points of affinity ^\ath the 

 Cyiirinodnnfcs became apparent, that I was reluctantly obliged to 

 deviate still more from Miiller's ordinal division. The coincidence 

 of the two chai actors of united lower pharyngeals and of the absence 

 of a pneumatic duct of the air-bladder deserves certainly full atten- 

 tion ; but the backward position of the vertical fins, the modification 

 of the anal fin of the male sex of many Cyprinodonts and of some 

 ]{omirhamphs, and the structure of the upper jaw of some Cyprino- 

 donts, which is very similar to that of Hemirhamphus, are points 

 which, at all events, prevent the Scombresoecs from being widely 

 separated from the other family named. 



Therefore this family is to be excepted from the last of the cha- 

 racters of the Physostomcs, as given vol. v. p. 1. 



Synoi^sis of tlie (jcnera. 



Bolli jaws elongate into a long beak: Unlets none.... 1. Belone, p. 2.34. 



Both jaws elongate into a long beak ; finlcts behind tho dorsal and anal fins. 



2. Sco.MCREsox, p. 2.36. 



The lower jaw only elongate into a beak; intermaxi'laries short, forming a tri- 

 angular plate 3. IIemiuiiampiius, p. 2r>9. 



Mouth as in HcmirhcanjjhKs, but the lower jaw not prolonged. Peetoral tin of 

 moderate length 4. Arrha.mi-hus, p. 276. 



.Ta<\s short; iutennaxillaries and maxillaries not soldered together. Pectoral 

 fins very long, organs of Hying 5 Exoc(ETUS, p. 277. 



