CHAP, xx.] FISHES. 440 



FAMILY 69. GYMNABCHID,E. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



"Fresh-water fishes, resembling the Mormyridae, but with 

 tapering finless tail, and neither aiial nor ventral fins." 



DISTRIBUTION. Ethiopian region. 



The only genus, Gymnarchus, inhabits the Nile and the rivers 

 of West Africa. 



FAMILY 70. ESOCIDJE. (1 Genus, 7 Species.) 



" Fresh- water fishes, with scaly bodies, no barbels, and dorsal 

 fins situated towards the tail/' 



DISTRIBUTION. The Nearctic and Palsearctic regions. 



One species, the Pike (Esox lucius) ranges from Lapland to 

 Turkey, and in America from the Arctic regions to the Albany 

 river ; the remainder are American species extending South as 

 far as New Orleans. 



FAMILY 71. UMBEID^E. (1 Genus, 2 Species.) 

 " Small fresh-water scaly fishes, without barbels or adipose fin." 

 DISTRIBUTION. Central Europe and Temperate North America. 



FAMILY 72.-SCOMBEESOCID^. (5 Genera, 136 Species.) 



" Marine or fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies and a series 

 of keeled scales along each side of the belly." 



DISTRIBUTION. Temperate and tropical regions. 



All the genera have a wide distribution. A species of Belone 

 and one of Scombresox are found on the British coast. The Flying- 

 fishes (Exocetus, 44 sp.), belong to this family. They abound 

 in all tropical seas and extend as far as the Mediterranean and 

 Australia. None of the genera are exclusively fresh-water, 



