152 TRACHINOIDS. LOPHIOIDS. 



TRACHINOIDS. 



59. The dental system of the fishes of the family of Trachinoids 

 offers few particulars deserving attention : and I shall briefly allude 

 to the modifications which are exemplified in two of the genera refer- 

 able to this group. 



In the Weevers {Trachini Draco, et Viper a) the intermaxillary, 

 premandibular, palatine, vomerine and pharyngeal bones are beset 

 with minute villiform teeth : they are arranged in two longitudinal 

 bands upon the palatines, and form a single transverse band in front 

 of the vomer. The tongue is edentulous. 



In the Star-gazer, {Uranoscopus scaher), an exotic species of 

 Trachinoid fishes, the intermaxillaries, pharyngeals and vomer, have 

 their masticatory surfaces roughened like a rasp by numerous small, 

 but more strongly developed teeth : those on the palatines are still 

 larger : and the premandibulars support eleven strong canines 

 separated by intervals, and placed behind a small patch of villiform 

 teeth near the symphysis. 



In microscopic structure and mode of reproduction the teeth 

 of the Weevers resemble those of the Pike. 



LOPHIOIDS. 



60. In this singular family of fishes in which the pectoral fins are 

 developed into terrestrial locomotive organs, the peculiarities of the 

 dental system will be principally illustrated by a description of the 

 teeth of one of the largest species, which is at the same time a native 

 of our own coasts. 



The Angler, {Lophius piscatorius) ,hsiS teeth on the intermaxillary, 

 premandibular, palatine, vomerine, and pharyngeal bones. They are 

 of an elongated, conical, sharp-pointed, and slightly incurved form, 

 presenting merely differences of size, degree of curvature, and mode 

 of fixation, but all bespeaking the predatory and carnivorous habits of 

 the species. 



In the upper jaw, the teeth are congregated in three or four ir- 

 regular rows at the median or upper third part of each intermaxillary 

 bone, and form a single and regular series along the lower two-thirds. 



