75 



The following synopsis stows tlie inter-relations of the Indian families of 



the Gadoidei : — 



I. At least two dorsal fins : scales present : the ventrals in all Indian 

 species contain six rays or more : air-bladder and pyloric append- 

 ages generally present: — 



1. Second dorsal fin well developed: a normal caudal fin in all 



the known Indian species ... ... ... Gadid,«. 



2. Second dorsal more or less rudimentary : the tail tapers to a 



filament ... ^ .„ ... ... ... Mackdrid.e. 



II. One dorsal fin : the ventrals consist of one or two filaments, or may be 

 wanting : — 



1. Dorsal fin short, corresponding with the first dorsal fin of 



Macruridse : each ventral consists of one filament. No 



scales: no air-bladder : no pyloric ca3ca ... ... Ateleopodids. 



2. Dorsal fin long, occupying the greater part of the back : 



ventrals, when present, consisting of one or two filaments. 

 Scales generally present, and air-bladder also. Pyloric 

 appendages present or not ... ... ... Ophidiid.*;. 



Family GacUclce. 

 Two genera are now known to inhabit the seas of India. 



I. First dorsal fin above the pectorals, and consisting of several rays : 



an air-bladde.- ... ... ... ... ... Phtsiculds. 



II. First dorsal consisting of a single ray placed on the occiput ... Bregmaceros. 



Bregmaceeos, Thompson. 

 56. Bregmaceros Macclellandil, Thompson. 



Diagnosis and synonomy in Fauna o/ British India, Fishes, II. p. 433. 



Numerous specimens fi'om the Bay of Bengal, 10, 65, 95 and 145 to 250 

 fathoms ; from off the Andamans ; and from off the Malabar coast 56 to 58 

 fathoms. 



Regd. Nos. 11830, 12387, 12475, 13442-13447, 13563-13587, ^J9 



1 ■ 



Phtsiculus, Kaup. 



Physiculus, Kaup, Wiegmann'a Archiy. f. Natargeg. 1858, p. 88: Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 87: 

 Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 365 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of N. America, III. p. 2547. 



Physicu-lus and Pseudophycis, Giinther, Cat. Pishes, IV. pp. 313, 330 : vide Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, 

 p. 87. 



Body elongate, covered with small scales. A separate caudal fin. Two 

 dorsals and one anal fin. Ventrals with a narrow flat base ; composed of 

 several rays. A band of villiform teeth in the jaws : no teeth on the vomer or 

 palatines. Chin with a barbel. Seven branchiostegals. Small glandular 

 pseudobranchige in some of the species. 



