552 FISHES. 



rior dorsal ; the second very long, continued to the end of the 

 tail, and composed of tery fcMc rays ; anal of an extent similar 

 to that of the second dorsal ; no caudal. Ventral fins thoracic 

 or jugular, co7nposed of several rays. 



This family, known a few years ago from a limited number 

 of examples, representing a few species only, proves to be one 

 which is distributed over all oceans, occurring in considerable 

 variety and great abundance at depths of from 120 to 2600 

 fathoms. They are, in fact, Deep-sea Gadoids, much resemb- 

 ling each other in the general shape of their body, but differ- 

 ing in the form of the snout and in the structure of their 

 scales. About forty species are known, of which many attain 

 a length of three feet. They have been referred to the fol- 

 lowing genera : — 



Fig. 257. — Macruriis australis. 



Macrurus. — Scales of moderate size; snout produced, 

 conical ; mouth inferior. 



CoRYPH/ENOiDES. — Scales of moderate size ; snout obtuse, 

 obliquely truncated ; cleft of the mouth lateral. 



Macruronus. — Scales of moderate size, spiny; snout pointed; 

 mouth anterior ancHateral, with the lower jaw projecting. 



Malacocerhalus. — Scales very small, ctenoid ; snout short, 

 obtuse, obliquely truncated. 



Bathygadus. — Scales small, cycloid ; snout not projecting 

 beyond the mouth ; mouth wide, anterior, and lateral. 



