226 ACANTUOPTERYG1I. 



TIL FAMILY OF RIBAND-SHAPED FORM. 

 TJENIOID^E. 



Representatives in British Fauna. Gen. 5. Sp. 5. 



Gen. 32. LEPIDOPUS. Sp. 55. L. argyreus. Scabbard-fish. 

 33. TRICHIURUS. . 56. T. lepturus. Silvery Hair- tail. 

 3 4. TRACHYPTERUS. 57. T.<Bogmarus. Vaagmaer. 



35. GYMNETRUS. 58. G. Hawkinsii. Hawkins' Gynme- 



trus. 



36. CEPOLA . . 59. C. rubescens. Red Band-fish. 



This extraordinary Fa'/nily, as exhibited in the 

 Regne Animal, is by no means a large one, consist- 

 ing, as more amply illustrated in L'Hist. Nat. des 

 Poissons, of but seven genera and twenty- six species. 

 It is nearly allied to the preceding ; but the form 

 is very much elongated, and more flattened side wise ; 

 it is also clad with minute scales. Concerning it, 

 Mr. Swainson remarks, u It contains the most 

 singular and extraordinary fishes in creation. The 

 form of the body, tvhen compared to fishes better 

 known, is much liKe that of an Eel, the length be- 

 ing in the same proportion to the breadth ; but then 

 it is generally so much compressed, that these crea- 

 tures have acquired the popular name of Riband- 

 Jlsh, Lath, or Deal-fish. The body, indeed, is often 

 not thicker, except in its middle, than is a sword ; 

 and being covered with the richest silver, and of 

 great length, the undulating motions of these fishes, 

 in the sea, must be resplendent and beautiful be- 



