SOMITE HAPLOMI 609 
Europe and North America, referred to 7 genera: Hnchodus, 
Eurypholis, Palacolycus, Halec, Cimolichthys, Prionolepis. 
Fam. 4. Esocidae.—Margin of the upper jaw formed by the 
praemaxillaries and maxillaries, the latter behind the former, and 
toothless. Supraoccipital in contact with the frontals, separating 
the small parietals; opercular bones all well developed; basis 
eranil simple. No parapophyses, except to the hindermost prae- 
caudal vertebrae; epipleurals and epineurals. Post-temporal forked, 
the upper branch attached to the epiotic, the lower to the 
exoccipital; post-clavicle present. Vertical fins far back; no 
adipose dorsal fin. | Pectoral fins inserted very low down ; ventrals 
with 6 to 11 rays. Air-bladder present. 
As in the Haplochitonidae, the neural and haemal arches are 
bones distinct from the centra, and although parapophyses are 
not developed, the ribs are not inserted on the centra, but on 
distinct bases wedged into the latter." Teeth are present on the 
yomer, palatine, and pharyngeal bones. 
SASL SSS 
SS 
Fig. 368.—Skeleton of Esox lucius. (After Jordan and Evermann.) 
A small family of carnivorous freshwater Fishes, including the 
Pike (Hsox), of predaceous habits, unsurpassed in greediness and 
voracity, and the small and insignificant-looking Umbra, distin- 
guished by the more anterior position of the dorsal fin, the larger 
scales, and the moderately large gape, with feeble villiform teeth. 
The range of the Esocidae is restricted to the cold and temperate 
parts of the northern hemisphere. Besides the well-known sow 
lucius of Europe, Northern Asia, and the northern parts of 
North America, growing to a length of 4 feet, and the Maskinongy 
(EZ. nobilior) of north-eastern North America, reaching twice that 
length, the first genus comprises three smaller species from the 
Eastern United States. Remains of soz have been found in 
1 Forming, with the bases of the neurapophyses, the cross-shaped arrangement 
which has been described in the Pike as well as in Amia. 
VOL. VII 2 
