XX1 MALACOPTERYGII 555 
and the anal is much elongate and confluent with the caudal, 
which may be regarded as aborted. The scapular foramen 
is entirely in the scapula. The air-bladder is very large, with 
several divisions, forked in front and behind, and_ prolonged 
along each side of the caudal region; its extraordinary condi- 
tion has been described by Bridge.’ 
These Fishes live in marshes and lakes, fresh-water or brackish, 
and feed on worms and insects. Nothing is known of their 
breeding habits and development. 
Two genera: Notopterws, with a dorsal fin and 6 to 9 branchi- 
ostegal rays—three species from India, Burma, and the Malay 
region, and one from West Africa; Xenomystus, without dorsal 
fin and with only 3 branchiostegal rays, the unique species in- 
habiting the White Nile and West Africa. Remains of Noto- 
pterus have been found in the marl slates (Tertiary) of Padang, 
Sumatra. The largest species, the Indian NV. chitala, attains 
4 feet in length; its flesh is said to be uncommonly rich and well 
flavoured, but a strong prejudice exists against it, owing to the 
Fish being supposed to live on human carcases. 
Fam. 10. Osteoglossidae.— Margin of the upper jaw formed 
by the praemaxillaries and the maxillaries, the latter the more 
developed and firmly attached to the end of the former. . Parietal 
bones separating the supraoccipital from the frontals ; suboper- 
culum much reduced, and entirely or partially concealed under 
the praeoperculum. Basis cranii simple. Teeth in jaws, and on 
pterygoid and hyoid bones; no pharyngeal teeth. Head scale- 
less, the thin skin confluent with the bones; body covered with 
large bony scales, composed of pieces like mosaic. Ribs inserted 
on the strong parapophyses ; epineurals, no epipleurals. Pectoral 
fins low. down. Post-temporal forked, the upper branch attached 
to the epiotic, the lower to the squamosal; post-clavicle present ; 
scapular foramen in scapula; pterygials well developed, only one 
in contact with coracoid. Dorsal and anal fins originating behind 
the ventrals; latter with 5 or 6 rays. No oviducts, the eggs 
falling into the abdominal cavity before exclusion (at least in 
Heterotis, as observed by Budgett). 
This family is represented at the present day by five species, 
referred to four genera; thus characterised :— 
Scleropages.—Mouth large; vomer, palatines, pterygoids, and 
1 Journ. Linn. Soe. xxvii. 1900, p. 503. 
