EXOCCETID^. — XLII. 91 



219. E. conger (L.). Conger Eel. Cleft of mouth reaching 

 beyond middle of the large eye ; dark brown above, paler below. 

 D. and A. usually pale, with broad, black margin ; P. dusky, pale- 

 edged; pores of lateral line whitish ; body sometimes wholly black. 

 L. 6 feet. Open sea, not rare on our coast. {Eu.) {yoyypos, 

 Conger, the ancient name.) 



Series PHYSOCLYSTI. 



We now begin the division of fishes in which the air-bladder in 

 the adult loses all connection with the alimentary canal. This 

 character in itself is of slight importance, but it is associated with 

 gradual modifications in other respects, of such character that 

 the typical Physoclyst is quite unlike the average Physostome. 

 Most of the Physoclysts have spines in some of the fins ; the ven- 

 tral fins are normally thoracic, each with a spine and five rays, 

 while the pectorals are inserted high. But there are many excep- 

 tions to each of these characters. We commence the series with 

 the forms most closely related to the Haplomi and other soft-rayed 

 forms. ((j)vaa, bladder; Kkeiaros, closed.) 



Order XVI. SYNENTOGNATHI. (The Synentogna- 

 THOU8 Fishes.) 



Physoclistous fishes without spines in the fins, with the ventrals 

 abdominal and the lower pharyngeals fully united. This peculiar 

 transitional group contains a single family divided by osteological 

 characters into two strongly marked groups, called families by Dr. 

 Gill. These are the BelnnidcE and the true Exocmtidce or Sconi- 

 heresocidce. (^avv, together ; euros, within; yvddos, jaw.) 



Family XLII. EXOCCETID^. (The Needle-fishes. 

 Flying-fishes.) 



Body oblong, compressed, with cycloid scales; a ridge, apparently 

 representing the lateral line, running along side of belly ; head 

 scaly ; premaxillaries not protractile, but with a hinge at base, 

 forming most of margin of upper jaw; teeth various. D. poste- 

 rior, similar to anal ; ventrals inserted posteriorly ; P. inserted 

 high; C. usually forked, the lower lobe the longer; gill openings 

 wide ; pseudobranchise hidden ; air-bladder large ; intestinal canal 

 simple. Genera about 11; species about 100; in all warm seas, 

 some of them endowed with remarkable power of flight. 



a. Jaws with sharp, unequal teeth; both jaws much produced; no finlets; 

 maxillaries grown fast to premaxillaries; ovary single. (BeloniruB.) 

 X. Gill rakers none; no teeth on vomer; D. and A. falcate; C lunate. 



