740 Opisthomi and Anacanthini 
retaining the name Anacanthini (avaxavos, without spine) 
suggested by Johannes Muller. In this group the hyper- 
coracoid is without foramen, the fenestra lying between this 
bone and the hypocoracoid below it. The tail is isocercal, the 
vertebrae in a right line and progressively smaller backward, 
sometimes degenerate or whip-like (leptocercal) at tip. Other 
characters are shown in the structure of the skull. There are 
no spines in any of the fins; the ventrals are jugular, the scales 
generally small, and the coloration dull or brownish. The 
numerous species live chiefly in the northern seas, some of 
them descending to great depths. The resemblance of these 
fishes to some of the Blennioid group is very strongly marked, but 
these likenesses seem analogical only and not indicative of true 
affinity. The codfishes probably represent an early offshoot from 
the ancestors of the spiny-rayed fishes, and their line of evolution 
is unknown, possibly from Ganoid types. | Among recent fishes 
there is nothing structurally nearer than the Nototheniide and 
Brotulide, but the line of descent must branch off much farther 
back than either of these. For the present, therefore, we may re- 
gard the codfishes and their allies (Anacanthint) as a distinct order. 
The Codfishes: Gadida.—The chief family is that of the Gadide, 
or codfishes. These are characterized by a general resemblance 
to the common codfish, Gadus callarias. This is one of the best 
Fic. 653.—Codfish, Gadus callarias L. Eastport, Me. 
known of fishes, found everywhere on the shores of the North 
Atlantic, and the subject of economic fisheries of the greatest 
importance. Its flesh is white, flaky, rather tasteless, but takes 
salt readily, and is peculiarly well adapted for drying. The 
average size of the codfish is about ten pounds, but Captain 
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