XXII ANACANTHINI 647 
Fam. 1. Macruridae.—-Mouth more or less inferior, pro- 
tractile; teeth small, none on palate. Anterior vertebrae with- 
out transverse processes, with the ribs sessile, the rest with strong 
transverse processes supporting the ribs, which themselves bear 
epipleurals. Gill-membranes free from isthmus or narrowly 
attached; 6 or 7 branchiostegal rays; gills 35 or 4; pseudo- 
branchiae rudimentary or absent. Ventral fins below the pec- 
torals, with 7 to 12 rays. Body short, tail elongate and tapering 
to a point, without caudal fin. A short anterior dorsal, with a 
single simple ray, and a long dorsal and anal meeting together at 
the end of the tail, formed entirely of articulated rays—the two 
dorsals sometimes continuous (Lyconis). 
Deep-sea Fishes with very large eyes and small or rather large 
mouth, usually covered with rough spiny scales; a mental barbel 
is present, except in Lyconus, and the muciferous cavities of the 
skull are strongly developed, the bones being remarkably thin. 
About 120 species are known, some of which have a wide dis- 
tribution. Macrurids have been found in all the seas where 
deep-sea dredging has been practised—the greatest depth at 
which they have been obtained being 2650 fathoms. Principal 
genera: Macrurus, Gadomus (with perforate scapula) Coryphae- 
noides, Hymenocephalus, Malacocephalus, Lionurus, Trachyrhyn- 
chus, Steindachneria, Bathygadus, Lyconus, Macruronus, A larval 
form of this family has received the name of Avohnius ; it is 
remarkable for the filamentous prolongation of the ventral rays, 
which recalls the larval Zrachypterus. 
SERS ONNN SS ~ 
TASS 
Fic. 397.—Macrurus carminatus, x4. (After Goode.) 
Fam. 2. Gadidae.—Mouth moderate or large, more or less 
protractile. Anterior vertebrae without transverse processes, 
with the ribs sessile, the rest with strong transverse processes, 
