632 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
less degree than in Auwlostoma. Its only representative is 
Protosyngnathus sumatrensis, froma Tertiary freshwater formation 
in Sumatra, which has been referred, without adequate grounds, 
to Aulorhynchus or Auliscops.' 
Fam. 5. Aulostomatidae.—Allied to the Aulorhynchidae, 
differing in the ventral fins devoid of spines, formed of 5 or 6 
rays, widely removed from the pectoral arch, the very elongate, 
saddle-shaped anterior vertebra formed by the fusion of several, 
the large supratemporals produced backward over the anterior 
vertebra, the very elongate pterygials of the pectoral fin, and 
the compressed body covered with small ctenoid scales. Ribs 
are rudimentary or absent. No suborbitals. The snout is long, 
tubiform; the small terminal mouth bears bands of minute 
teeth, and the lower jaw has a small barbel at the symphysis. 
A single genus, Awlostoma, with two species from the Atlantic 
coasts of tropical America, and two from the Eocene and Miocene 
of Europe. A. coloratum grows to a length of 26 inches. 
Fam. 6. Fistulariidae.—Body greatly elongate, naked. First 
vertebra much elongate, formed by the fusion of several; strong 
transverse processes to the ribs in front and behind, those of two 
vertebrae suturally united; ribs rudimentary or absent. Supra- 
temporal much produced posteriorly, extending over the anterior 
vertebrae ; suborbitals absent ; snout forming a long tube, which 
terminates in a narrow mouth with minute teeth. Spinous 
dorsal entirely absent. Pterygials of pectoral fin very elongate. 
Ventral fins very small, with 6 soft rays, inserted far behind the 
pectoral girdle. 
The Flute-mouths, Fistularia, which Dr. Giinther describes as 
“oigantic marine Sticklebacks living near the shore, from which 
they are frequently driven into the open sea,” are represented by 
three species, from the tropical and subtropical parts of the Atlantic 
and Indo-Pacific. The middle rays of the forked caudal fin are 
produced into a long filament. The largest species, / tabaccaria, 
reaches a length of 6 feet. The same genus is represented by 
two species in the Upper Eocene and Oligocene of Europe, and 
Urosphen, from the Upper Eocene, is regarded as allied to it. 
‘ Protaulopsis, from Monte Bolea, appears to me to belong to the Scombresocidae. 
The anterior vertebrae are equal in size ; long, slender ribs are present, the body 
is scaly, and the so-called infraclavicles are absent. The rostrum is so much 
crushed that no opinion can be formed as to its structure. 
