268 



Classifica- the last pair of branchial arches, and rests upon the lateral processes 



tion — Ana- of the coracoid. Its concave surface, studded with compressed teeth 



canths. in quincunces, receives and acts against the upper pharyngeal dental 



V J ..»-■' plates ; the length of these plates increases with age. On each side 

 of the Inferior pharyngeal there are two mucous sacs, papillose 

 within. Stomach without a ca^cum, and no pancreatic caca. Gene- 

 ral aspect, except in respect of the teeth, that of Cheilinus, generally 

 with a higher body than Labrus or JuUs. Kinety species. 



Genus XXIII. Callyodon, Gronov. Scari, whose anterior teeth 

 are tiled in many rows, the lateral ones of the upper jaw being 

 pointed and scattered, while within the jaw there is a row of much 

 smaller ones. Figure 56 represents the teeth of Callyodon chloro' 

 lepis. Twelve species. 



Gends XXIV. Odax, Comm. Head and body elongated; snout 

 pointed ; lips swollen, and a fold from the cheek and preoperculum 

 makes a posterior lip as in Lahrus. Lateral line continuous, and 

 composed of simple not branching tubes, as in Lahrus. Teeth in- 

 corporated with the jaw, but the compound dental pieces thus 

 formed are thinner than in Scariis, the jaws bulging less; pharyn- 

 geals as in Lahrus, with which they have more affinity than with 

 Scarui, Eight species. 



Family IV.— AMBIOTOCID^, Agass. 



The general aspect of the fishes on which this family is founded 

 is that o{ Pomotis, or of the higher bodied Sparidce ; they are com- 

 pressed and oval, with middle-sized cycloid scales ; opercular pieces 

 without spines or serratures. Branchiostegals six. Lips moderately 

 thick ; orifice of the mouth formed above by the premaxillaries, 

 to the exclusion of the maxillaries ; both these bones somewhat 

 protractile; teeth on the premaxillaries, mandible, and pharyngeals 

 only, none on the vomer or palatines. By their entire gill-covers, 

 they are farther removed from the Perch family than from the 

 Sparoids, but the cycloid scales separate them from the latter, which 

 have all ctenoid scales. By their thick lips they approach the 

 Labroids, but diifer in the construction of the mouth. AI. Agassiz 

 gives an interesting paper on this family in Troschel's .^rcA. /wr 

 Naturg., 1854. The name of Ambiotoca is deduced from the mode 

 in which the young are produced, analogous to that of the Kan- 

 garoos. The designation of Holconoti has also been proposed on ac- 

 count of a naked stripe parallel to the hinder basis of the dorsal fin. 

 Troschel remarks that this family is a peculiar one, nearly allied to 

 the Labridce cycloidei, but that it cannot enter that group on account 

 of the unusual structure of the gills. 



Genus I. Ambiotoca. 



Order IV.— ANACANTHS. 



This order was indicated by Miiller, and according to the 

 characters which lie assigns to it, as given in the table, the 

 only difference that exists between it and the Acanthopteri 

 is the absence of spinous or pungent rays in the fins ; but 

 many of the Gobiidce have also rays wholly flexible, and 

 that family may be considered as furnishing links between 

 the orders. Indeed, there are some forms which may, with 

 almost equal propriety, be placed in either. The ventral 

 fins, when present, are attached to the thorax or throat. 



ICHTHYOLOGY. 



Order IV 



-AXACANTHINI, Mull. 



Fig. 83. 

 3Tachcerium subducens. 



On the Op/udid(Bwe need not dwell, the members of that 

 family being fishes of small size of little utility to man. The 

 groups composing it have been investigated by Dr Kaup 

 of Darmstadt, and our table gives the results of his la- 

 bours. Fig. 88 represents the 3Iac/t(erium subducens, an 



Fig. 89. 

 Oymnelis viridi9\ 



Atistralian species, and fig. 89 Gymndis viridis, an inhabi- 

 tant of the Arctic seas. 



Classifica- 



Endo-skeleton ossified ; exo-skeleton in some as cycloid, in others , 



as ctenoid scales. Fins supported by flexible or jointed rays ;ventrals '^^° "' 

 beneath the pectorals, or none. Swim-bladder without aii'-duct in ' v " ' 

 the Gadid(e, absent in 0}/hidido£, Uclienada, Macroitridce, and 

 Pkuronectidce. 



Sub-Order I.— APODES. 



Family I.— OPIIIDIDyE. 



(?a<fiis-like fish without ventrals. Body elongated, more or less 

 dagger-like posteriorly ; the tail surrounded without a break by 

 the vertical fins. 



Genus I. Mach.erium, Rich. Anus at the termination of the 

 first third part of the length of the fish. Body scaly. Mandible 

 destitute of a barbel ; uniserial, incisorial teeth on the jaws. I>orsal 

 beginning somewhat behind the pectoral ; anal occupying two- 

 thirds of the length of the body. Six branchiostegals. Lateral line 

 ceasing under the tenth ray of the dorsal. No swim-bladder. Two 

 species. 



Genus II. Ophidium, Lin. Anns at the termination of the first 

 third part, or of the half of the length of the fish. Body scaly. 

 Two pair of barbels attached beneath the point of the glosso-hyal 

 (or lingual) bone. A swim-bladder. Smallsword-shaped fish, with 

 lowly dcveloi>ed dorsal and anal fins, supported by simple rays 

 only. Air-bladder large and oviform, with three proper ossicles, 

 the middle one of which is moved by a peculiar muscle. Six 

 species. 



Genus III. Gymnelis, Reinh. (Cepolophit, Kaup.) Ophidia 

 without barbels, and destitute of scales; resembling the proper Oyhi' 

 dia in the blunt head. The vomerine teeth do not project forwards, 

 but lie deep in the palate. Anus situated in the fore part of the 

 fish. Pectorals and vertical fins moderately developed. They are 

 distinguished from Fieraafer in that the anus is not in the pectoral 

 region, but farther back. The body also is less slim, and the tail 

 not so much dagger-like. Two species. 



Genus IV. Kierasfer, Cuv. {Echiodon, Thomp. ; O.rybeles, 

 Rich., Bleek.) Anus in the pectoral region. Vomer projecting 

 forwards, with blunt or laterally compressed teeth. Seven branchi- 

 ostegals. No scales. Three species. 



Genus V. Encheliopius, Miill. Abrachial as well as apodal ; 

 anus behind the gills. Six branchiostegals. 



GADOIDS. 



This is a most important family, and the fisheries estab- 

 lished for the capture of its various members have, more 

 than any other tribe of fishes, been the means of forming 

 great numbers of hardy and able seamen. Its members 

 live in cold or temperate climates, and constitute a very im- 

 portant article of fishery. The greater nuniber are consi- 

 dered wholesome, and form a light and agreeable food, — 

 the flesh separating easily by boiling into white flaky layers. 

 The great sand-bank of Newfoundland is tlie most famous 

 station of the Cod fisheries, and is resorted to by English 

 fishermen, who chiefly use the hook and line. The fish 

 abound in this place probably on account of the great quan- 

 tity of the smaller animals which serve as food, viz., mussels, 

 clams, &c. 



Morr/iua vulgaris, the conmion Cod {la Morue, Fr. ; 

 Kabliau, Germ.), measures fiom two to three feet in length. 

 The back is spotted with yellowish brown. It inhabits the 

 whole Northern Ocean, and occurs in vast profusion. This 

 fish dwells in salt water only. It is not foinid nearer the 

 equator than the 40th degree of latitude. The weight of the 

 common Cod varies from 12 to 80 or even 100 pounds. It 

 is extremely voracious, and its digestive powers are seem- 

 ingly very great. It feeds upon smaller fishes, such as 

 Herrings, on Mollusca, Worms, and Crustacea, and even 

 on the young of its own species. It has a strong, muscular 

 stomach, and is said to possess the power of rejecting by 

 the mouth substances, such as wood, &c., which it finds in- 

 digestible. In spring it comes nearer the shore in order to 

 deposit its spawn. This happens in January in England, in 

 February in Norway, Denmark, and Scotland, and in March 

 in Newtbimdiand. One female is said to contain i'romjour 

 to nine millioTis of eggs 1 The most extensive Cod fisheries 



