GREGORY: FISH SKULLS 



375 



the familiar landmarks. Apparently this is a predaceous, eel-like form with narrow skull 

 and fairly large biting teeth in the front of the jaws. The hyomandibular is much enlarged 

 and forms a firm pivot for the jaws. The preopercular is closely appressed to the hyoman- 



/sop \ 



Blennius sp. 



Blennius tasmanianus 



Fig. 252. Blennius. 



dibular and the back of the quadrate. The upper part of the small triangular opercular is 

 sharply truncated, perhaps to make room for muscles running obliquely above it. 



In the top view of the skull (Fig. 254) we note the relative length and narrowness of 

 the braincase, the large orbits and much constricted interorbital bridge, the relatively 

 heavy muzzle formed by the stout prefrontals (parethmoids) and elongate mesethmoid, 



sphoir 



sor 



Zoarces anguillans 



Fic. 253. TLoarces, 



