ELACATID A. — LI. LOS 
between P.5. D. XVIII-21. A.20. W.I., rare N. (éoréop, 
bone; xefp, hand.) 
The position of the next family is still uncertain. Common 
opinion places it between the Remoras and the mackerel-like fishes. 
Famity LI. HLACATIDA. (Tue Contras.) 
Body elongate, fusiform, with very small, smooth scales; head 
long, low; mouth moderate; jaws with bands of small teeth; chin 
projecting ; lateral line present, wavy. Dorsal spines about 9, low, 
all separate; second D. and A. long; two weak anal spines; V. I, 5. 
C. forked; no air-bladder; no sucking disk; pyloric ceca branched. 
One species, in all warm seas. 
120. ELACATE Cuvier. (7\akdrn, spindle.) 
258. E. canada (L.). Conia; CRAB-EATER; SERGEANT-FISH. 
Dusky, sides with a broad black band. Head 44; depth 52; D. IX, 
33. A.II, 25. L. 5 feet. Warm seas, N. in summer. 
We now begin the great series or suborder of SCOMBRIFORMES 
or mackerel-like fishes, with one of the most aberrant members of 
the group. 
Famity LI. XIPHIIDAi. (Tue Sworp-risues). 
Body elongate, naked; bones of upper jaw consolidated into a 
long stiff “sword”; teeth disappearing with age; D. long, without 
distinct spines, the rays enveloped in the skin; the fin divided into 
two in the adult; A. similarly divided; tail slender, keeled; C. 
widely forked; V. wanting. Gills peculiar, the laminz of each 
arch joined in one plate by reticulations; air-bladder simple; py- 
loric ceca numerous. Vertebrz short, the neural and hemal spines 
normal; ribs very few. One species, a very large fish of the open 
sea, much valued as food. 
121. XIPHIAS Linneus. (pias, ancient name from Eidos, 
sword. ) 
259. XX. gladius L. Sworp-risnu. Dark bluish. Head 21; 
depth 54; snout 8. D.40-4. A. 18-14. L.15 feet or more. Open 
sea, N. to Nova Scotia. .(Zu.) (Lat; sword.) 
Famity LIT. ISTIOPHORIDA. (Tue Satrt-FisuHes.) 
Similar to the Sword-fishes, but with rudimentary scales, small per- 
sistent teeth, and ventral fins of 1 or 2 rays; air-bladder sacculated ; 
rays of fins distinct, not embedded in skin. Vertebre “elongate 
hour-glass-shaped ; neural and hemal spines flag-like; ribs well-de- 
veloped.” Two genera, with 5 species. These are smaller than 
the Sword-fishes, but similar in character and habits. 
