TELE08TEI. 



A dermal segmental skeleton; the 



opercular pieces reduced to a 



single plate. Gill-openings small. 



Gills consisting of small rounded 



tufts, attached to the branchial 



arches. Muscular system very 



slightly developed 4. LOPHOBRANCH11. 



The bones of the head completely 



ossified, those in the remainder 



of the body incompletely. Ver- 

 tebrae few. Gill-openings small, 



situated in front of the pectoral 



fins. Gills pectinate. Mouth 



narrow ; the bones of the upper 



jaw mostly united, sometimes 



produced into the form of a beak. 



There may be a single soft-rayed 



dorsal fin, belonging to the caudal 



portion of the vertebral column, 



and situated opposite the anal ; 



in some a rudimental spinous 



dorsal is also present : the ven- 



trals, when existing, have the 



form of spines. Skin either 



smooth, with rough scales, or 



ossified in the form of plates or 



spines. Air-bladder destitute of 



a pneumatic duct 5. PLECTOGNATHI. 



