GASTEROSTEIFORMES 



413 



backwards from the epiotic region and the pectoral girdle, somewhat as in 

 the Mugilidae. The pectoral radials are of normal shape and rather large. 



Family Aulostomatidae. The body is covered with small ctenoid 

 scales, and there are isolated dorsal fin spines. The suborbitals are lost, 

 and the palatines united and fused to the skull. Each of the transverse 

 processes is formed from two adjacent vertebrae. 



Aulostoma, Lac. ; Atlantic ; Eocene, Europe. 



Fig. 410. 

 Fistularia serrata, Cuv. (After Day, Fishes of India.) 



Family Fistulariidae. The body is quite naked or with vestigial 

 scutes, and without dorsal fin spines. The caudal fin bears a long fila- 

 ment supported by the middle lepidotrichia. 



Fistularia, L. (Fig. 410) ; tropical Atlantic and Indo- Pacific Oceans ; 

 and Eocene, Europe. 



Fig. 411. 

 Ceniriseus humerosus, Rich. (After Giinther.) 



Sob-Tribe C. Cextrlscoidei. With a comparatively short compressed 

 body, an anterior dorsal fin with a stout spine, very short pectoral 

 radials, no ribs, no suborbitals, and no teeth. 



Family Centriscidae. The body is covered with rough scales, and 

 scutes, some of which are fused to the neural spines and to the transverse 

 processes of the modified anterior vertebrae. 



Khamphosus, Ag. ; Eocene, Italy. Centriscus, Cuv. (Macrorhamjjhosus, 

 Lac.) (Fig. 411) ; Atlantic and Pacific. 



Family Amphisilidae. Scaleless, but with a complete armour of 

 scutes fixed to the endoskeleton. The tail is shortened and twisted 

 ventrally, the dorsal fin projecting beyond it. 



