Gadoid or Anacantliine Fishes. 465 



Basts cranii simple. Vertebra numerous, the first two 

 without parapophyses, ribs, or epipleurals, those following 

 witliont parapophyses and with sessile ribs to which epipleurals 

 are attached, most of the prjBcaudals with well-developed 

 parapophyses, bearing ribs, the epipleurals attached either to 

 the ribs or the parapophyses. Anterior caudal vertebra with 

 much enlarged hsemal canal. Pectoral pterygials 3-6 in 

 number. Foramen between scapula and coracoid (except in 

 Gadomus). Gills , four, a slit behindJj3ye_ib.uitL- (except in 

 Bathygadus) ; gill-openings wide^ the membranes free from 

 or narrowly joined to the isthmus ; 6-8 branchiostegals ; 

 pseudobranchiee, if present, usually glandular, reduced. 

 Mouth protractile, terminal or inferior. Body elongate, 

 tapering, without distinct caudal fin ; dorsal and anal fins 

 long, confluent posteriorly, the former with or without a 

 separate anterior portion ; ventrals below the pectorals^ witli 

 7-12 rays. A mental barbel usually present. 



Subfamily Batsyqabin^. 



The first vertebra articulating normally with the skull, its 

 neural spine not directly attached to the occipital crest. 

 First dorsal ray not spinous. First gill-arch entirely free 

 anteriorly. 



Genera : — Melanonus, Lyconus, Gadomus, Bathygadas, 

 Melanohranchus, Trachyrhynchus . 



Subfamily Macrurin^. 



Differ from the preceding in that the epibranchial and 

 lower part of the ceratobrauchial of the first gill-arch are 

 connected by membrane to the wall of the gill-chamber, 

 leaving only a narrow slit in front of " ~ ... ~. .. 

 dorsal ray is a non-articulated spine. 



Genera : — EymenocephaluSj Malacocephalus, Macrurus, 

 Coryphoinoides, &c. 



Subfamily Macruroninm. 



Neural arch of first vertebra suturally united to exoccipitals 

 and its neural spine directly and firmly attached to the supra- 

 occipital crest. In other respects like the Bathygadina3. 



Genera : — Macruronus, Steindachieria. 



Family 2. GadidsB. 

 Closely allied to the Macruroninse, from which they diflfer 

 Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 7. Vol. xi. 33 



