464 Mr. C. T. Regan on the 



M. marmoratus, known only from two specimens from Ker- 

 guelen, was placed by Dr. Gunther * in the Gadidse. It 

 is a higlily specialized type, whose nearest relations are with 

 the Gadid genus Onos, which it resembles in general appear- 

 ance, as well as in the composition of the tins, the structure 

 of the skull, and the dentition. The foramen is between 

 scapula and coracoid, but the pterygials are no less than ten 

 in number. The gill-membranes are united, but free from 

 the isthmus, and the gill-openings are restricted from above, 

 commencing below the level of the pectorals. The scales are 

 peculiar, being oblong and arranged at right angles to each 

 other, much as in the Anguillidai or in some species of Ophi- 

 dium ; there is no distinct caudal fin. Ail these features 

 indicate so considerable a ditFerentiation from the Gadidae 

 that this genus might well be considered as the type of a 

 distinct family. In his generic diagnosis Dr. Gunther states 

 that the air-bladder has a pneumatic duct ; the anterior 

 part of the air-bladder is very muscular and the so-called 

 duct is probably a vascular and nervous strand supplying 

 this muscular portion. 



The suborder Anacanthini and its component families and 

 subfamilies may be defined as follows : — 



Suborder ANACANTHiNif- 

 Parietals separated by the supra-occipital ; pro-otic and 

 exoccipital separated by the enlarged opisthotic ; pectoral 

 arch attached to the skull ; no raesocoracoid ; no infra-clavicle. 

 Vertical and ventral fins without spinous rays (except the 

 first dorsal ray of some Macrurids) ; ventral tins anterior in 

 position, the pelvic bones posterior to the clavicular symphysis 

 and only loosely attached to it by ligament. Gills pectinate. 

 Air-bladder without pneumatic duct. 



Family 1. Macruridse. 



Suborbitals not forming an internal subocular lamina. 

 Post-temporal forked, attached to the epiotic above and the 

 opisthotic below. 



* ' Challenprer ' Shore-Fislios, p. 18, pi. viii. 



+ Certain features of the suspensory apparatus seem to be constant 

 throughout the suborder, and may prove to be of some importance. The 

 head of the hyomandibular ai'ticulatf-s -nithin a single socket, to the 

 formation of which the squamosal and postfrontal contribute. The ento- 

 pterygoid is well developed, attached to the ectopterygoid below and in 

 front by a vertical suture to the palatine. The palatine is attached ante- 

 riorly only to the prtefrontal, and has a long maxillary process. 



