XXII ANACANTHINI 649 
4 feet and a weight of 100 Ibs., the Haddock (G. aeglefinus), the 
Whiting (G@. merlangus), the Bib or Pout (G. luseus), the: Pollack 
(G. pollachius), the Coal-Fish (G. virens), the Hake (Merluccius 
vulgaris), and the Ling (Molva vulgaris). Species of Merluceius 
occur also on the coasts of Chili and of New Zealand. The 
Rocklings (Onus or Motella) are of small size; several species are 
of common occurrence in our tide-pools. The Burbot (Lota 
vulgaris) is a freshwater fish, exceeding a length of 3 feet, of ex- 
cellent quality, but unfortunately local and rare in this country. 
Fam. 3. Muraenolepididae.—Closely related to the Gadidae, 
from which they differ in not having a separate caudal fin, in 
the gill-openings being narrow and below the base of the 
pectorals, in the increased number (ten) of the pectoral pterygials,' 
and in the peculiar scales, similar to those of the Anguillidae. 
Ventrals with 5 rays. A mental barbel. 
A single genus, Muraenolepis, from the coast of Kerguelen 
Island. 
! The increased number of pectoral pterygials has been regarded by Sagemehl 
(Morphol. Jahrb. x. 1885, p. 17) as indicating generalisation, and has been a great 
stumbling-block in his discussion of the aftinities of Gymnotws with the other 
Ostariophysi, and especially the Characinidae. The fact that the same feature is 
repeated in three such distinct families as the Gymnotidae, Anguillidae, and 
Muraenolepididae, and occurs in genera which are in all other respects more 
specialised than their neighbours, goes far to prove that Sagemehl was mistaken 
in his interpretation of this character. 
