318 GADOPSIDiE. 



One short anterior dorsal, and no other. 



Ventrals reduced to filaments, jugular, 6. AteleopodidaB, p. 398. 



Appendix Xenocephalus, p. 399. 



B. ANACANTHINI PLEURONECTOIDEI. 



The two sides of the head unsymmetrical. 

 Only one family 7. Pleuronectidae, p. 399. 



Before entering into an account of the tnio Gadoid fishes, we must 

 intercalate the type of a separate family, which, although having 

 every character of a Gadoid, has true spines in the dorsal and anal 

 fins, thus forming a connecting link between the Acanthopterygians 

 and Malacopterygians. The structure of the dorsal fin, the presence 

 of pyloric appendages, &c., prevent its being placed among the Blen- 

 noids. 



Fam. 1. GADOPSin^. 



A small portion of the dorsal and anal fins is formed by true spines. 

 Ventrals jugular. Gill-openings wide. 

 Only one genus. 



1. GADOPSIS. 



Gadopsis, Richards. Voy. Ereh. ^ Terr. Fishes, p. 122. 



Body slightly elongate, covered with very small scales. Snout of 

 moderate extent, obtuse, with the upper jaw overlapping the lower ; 

 cleft of the mouth of moderate width ; small cardiform teeth in the 

 jaws, on the vomer and the palatine bones. One dorsal, the spinous 

 portion being rather shorter than the soft ; anal spines three ; caudal 

 distinct. Venjtrals jugular, composed of a single bifid ray. Branchio- 

 stegals six ; gills four, with a narrow slit behind the fourth ; pseudo- 

 branchise present, glandular ; giU-opening wide ; gill-membranes not 

 united. An air-bladder ; pyloric appendages in moderate number. 



Fresh waters of South Australia and Tasmania. 



1. Gadopsis marmoratus. 



Richards. I. c, pi. 59. figs. 6-11. 



B.6. D.itH. A.^. V.i. 



The dorsal and anal fins are enveloped in thick skin ; ventral longer 

 than pectoral. Reddish-brown, marbled with darker. 

 Fresh waters of South Australia and Tasmania. 



a. Skin, in spirits. Australia. From Mr. Goidd's Collection. 



b. Fine specimen, four inches long. Van Dicmen's Land. Presented 



by E,. Gunn, Esq. — " Freshwater Trout, very common in the 

 rivers and rivulets of Van Diemen's Land ; they attain to twice 

 the size of the present specimen." 



