72 



SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 



poi-es, and also tliat the anterior [jai't of the scale 

 (covered by tlie skin) is of a somewhat stronger struc- 

 ture, and separated from the other i)art by a sharp, 

 doul)Ie curve, which bends first inwards and then as 

 shar])lv forwards (in the direction of the body). The 

 liiK; striations ai-e continued on the curve, but the 

 inmost part of the scale is ('rossed by transverse, 

 thickening lines. The dorsal fin-corcrs (tiie scales form- 

 ini:' the groove into whicli the dorsal fin may be de- 

 pressed) are in one respect irregular — the curve is 

 knee-formed, so that it extends both over the anterior 

 and inferior parts of the scale, the free part of Avhich 

 thus becomes the superior-posterior. In a downward, 

 transverse row from one of these 'fin-covers' we first 

 find small scales with the free part rounded or emar- 

 ginate at its posterior edge, and also divided at the 

 circumference from the anterior part of the scale by 

 ail ini'ision in the upper and lower margins. In front 

 of this incision the anterior (covered) \)i\y\ of the scale 

 projects in a shorter (up\vard) or longer (downward) 

 process. It is these processes, with the thickening lines 

 mentioned above, that at the middle of the side of the 

 body are so elongated that the one scale is joined in 

 synarthros by its inferior process to the superior process 



of the scale next in order below it. When Ave add to this 

 the externally visible elevation (transverse elongation) 

 of the Avhole scale in the rows at the middle of the 

 body, it is evident that if the thin, posterior (free) 

 part of the scale were taken away, Ave should find rib- 

 like formations in the integument, exactly like those 

 described in the Pycnodonts, a Ganoid group Avhich 

 existed from tlie Carboniferous period to the beginning 

 of the Tertiary, and to A\'hich the Bramidfe have no 

 further relationship than the sometimes striking like- 

 ness in the form of the body and the vertical fins. 



Our knoAvledge of the BramicJce is as yet compa- 

 rati\'ely scant5^ They are deep-sea fishes, all presu- 

 mably of Avide geographical range. The principal di- 

 stinctions betAveen the tAvo genera Avhich belong to 

 the Scandinavian Fauna, are given in the foUoAving 

 scheme: 



1 : The row of scales at the extreme dorsal and 

 ventral edffes along the base of the dorsal 

 and anal fins, consists of high scales {fin- 

 covers), which are so arranged, that thej' form 

 a deep groove, in which these fins, which are 

 otherAvise Avithout scales, may be sunk Pt.erycoinhus. 



2: No fin-groove. Dorsal and anal fins covered 



Avith scales Brama. 



Genus PTERYCOMBUS. 



The dorsal fin hef/ins at tlie occiput, vertically above tlie posterior orbital margin. The anal fin begins behind 

 the perpendicular from the insertion of the pectoral fins. The longest rags of the first named fins measure less 

 than the greatest depth of the hodg. Fin-covers large, from 50 to 53 pairs at the base of the dorsal fin and 

 alxiut 40 at that of the anal. Eyes large; diameter of the orbit nearlg half the length of the head. Palate 



tvithout teeth. 



At the first glance tlie extent of the dorsal and 

 anal fins seems to be the clearest distinction betAveen 

 this genus and Pteraclis, particularlj' as in adult spe- 

 cimens of the latter genus these fins are considerably 

 higher, especially in comparison Avith the depth of the 



body, Avhicli is loAver and has smaller fin-covers. But 

 in youth, according to Lutken (1. c.) Pteraclis bears a 

 much closer resemblance to Ptergcombus and has a 

 higher form of body and loAver fins. 



Of the latter genus onh- one species is knoAvn. 



