ANGLEK FISHES GILL. 



581 



it is possible (or even probable) that the describer may have mis- 

 taken the branches of the rays for the rays themselves. 



While thus agreeing with each other the Himantolophines and 

 ^gseonichthyines are remarkably distinguished by a difference of 

 form so striking as to at first deceive the observer. The Himantolo 

 phines, as usual in the family, are compressed while the ^gseonich- 

 thyines are much depressed. Such a difference is entirely exceptional 

 in a natural family and might at first prevent a recognition of the 



Fig. 18. — Himantolophiuc {Hiinantolophua ivinhardtii) . After Liitken. 



close relationship of the two types, but further investigation must 

 convince one that they are really nearly related. 



A comparison of the typical species of Himantolophines and 

 ^^ga?onichthyines shows by what slight organic changes the very 

 different appearance of the two forms has been brought about. 



In Hiniantolophus the head and body are compressed, the suspen- 

 sorium of the lower jaw nearly vertical (slightly inclined forward), 

 and the mouth cleft is normally oblique. 



