THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 



5. Ganoids, which are mainly bony-scaled fishes and 

 were most numerous in the early geologic ages. The stur- 

 geon, garpike, paddlefish, bowfin and African bichir are 

 among the present survivors. An excellent habitat group 

 of the paddlefish is reproduced. The roe of these fishes is 

 an important article of commerce and constitutes what is 

 known as "American caviar." 



6. Teleosts or Bony Fishes. This group comprises about 

 10,500 species, or more than nine tenths of all the forms 

 of our food and game fishes. A selected number of exam- 

 ples of this group is temporarily installed in the Bird Hall 

 and includes bass, carp, cod, eel, herring and tilefish, which 

 latter recently has become a popular food fish. 



Inspection should be made of the Deep Sea Group, 

 showing types found at a depth as great as 3,000 fathoms, 

 or more than three miles. Nearly all the deep-sea fishes 

 are provided with luminous organs which are distinctly 

 brought out in the group by a cleverly arranged electrical 

 device. Near-by is the mounted record specimen of an 

 ocean sunfish (Mola), measuring ten feet two inches from 

 tip to tip. In other parts of the Corridor are groups of the 

 shovel-nosed sturgeon, bowfin and garpike. 



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