MOEMYRID^. 625 



former genus live species are found in New Zealand, where 

 tliis type is most developed, three in ISTew South Wales, two 



Fig. 283. — Galaxias tnittaceus, from Tasmania. 



in Tasmania, and four in the southern extremity of South 

 America. Their native name in New Zealand is " Kokopu," 

 and they were dignified with the name of "Trout" by the 

 settlers before the introduction of true Salmonidte. They 

 rarely exceed a length of eight inches. Neoclianna is a de- 

 graded form of Galaxias, from which it differs by the absence 

 of ventral fins. This fish has hitherto been found only in 

 burrows, which it excavates in clay or consolidated mud, 

 at a distance from water. 



Twelfth Family — Mormyrid^. 



Body and tail scaly ; head scaleless ; harhcls 7wne. The 

 margin of the upjpcr jaw is formed in the middle Tjy the inter- 

 maxillaries, ivhich coalesce into a single hone, and laterally hy 

 the maxillaries. Sub- and inter-operculum present, the latter 

 very small. On each side of the single parietal hone a cavity 

 leading into the interior of the skull, and covered loith a thin 

 hony lamella. All the fins are well developed, in Mormyrus ; 

 or caudcd, ancd, and ventral fins are ahsent, in Gymnarchus. 

 JSfo adipose fin. Pscudohranchioi none; gill-openings reduced 

 to a short slit. Air-hladder simple. Two coeca pylorica 

 hehind the stomach. 



This family is characteristic of the freshwater fauna of 

 tropical Africa. Of Mormyrus (including Hyperopisus and 



2 s 



