640 TELEOSTEL CHAP. 
Represented in the Upper Eocene of Europe by several species 
of Atherina and by the extinct genus Rhamphognathus. 
Fam. 4. Mugilidae.—Maxillary excluded from the border 
of the upper jaw; dentition feeble or absent. Body covered with 
cycloid scales. Ribs attached to the extremity of strong parapo- 
physes. Pectoral fins inserted high up; ventral fins more or 
less approximated to the pectorals, with one spine and five soft 
rays; pelvic bones suspended from the post-clavicles. Two well- 
separated dorsal fins, the anterior formed of a small number of 
spines. Air-bladder present. 
These Fishes are closely related to the preceding, of which 
they are a further specialisation, the pharyngeal bones having a 
complicated structure, much reducing the oesophageal opening, 
and the vertebrae being reduced in number (24 to 26 instead of 
32 to 60). They feed on organic matter contained in mud, and 
inhabit the fresh waters and coasts of the temperate and tropical 
regions. The species number about 100. Principal genera: 
Mugil, Myxus, Anostomus, Joturus. Grey Mullets (Mugil) are 
represented on our coasts by three species, valued as food, one of 
which (JZ capito) has a remarkably wide range, occurring from 
Scandinavia to the Cape of Good Hope. Remains referred to the 
‘same genus occur in the Miocene and Oligocene. 
Fam. 5. Polynemidae.—Maxillary excluded from the border 
of the upper jaw; dentition feeble. Body covered with ctenoid 
Fic. 391.—Shoulder-girdle and pelvis of Polynemus quadrifilis. cl, Clavicle; cor, 
coracoid ; pec, pectoral rays ; pel, pelvis ; pt, pterygials ; ptcl, post-clavicle ; pte, 
post-temporal ; sc, scapula ; scl, supra-clavicle ; ; ven, ventral rays. 
