SÜB-CLASS VI 



TELEOSTEl 



107 



and anal fins much extended witli unarticulated spines; pelvic fins sometimes rudi- 

 nfientary or wanting. Upper Eocene to Recent. 



The Trichiuridae are predaceous fishes of the tropical and sub-tropical 

 seas, living both near the coasts and also in deep water. Several well-marked 

 fossil forms occur in the Eocene and Miocene. 



Extinct species of the existing Lepidopus, Gouan (Anenchelum, Blv., Lepido- 

 pides, Heckel), are found in the black slates of Glarus (Fig. 187), in the 

 Menilite shales of the Carpathians (L. carpathicus, Kramb.), and in the Upper 

 Miocene of Sicily and Tuscany. 



Trichiurichthys, Hemithyrsites, Sauvage. Upper Miocene ; Licata, Sicily. 



Family 11. Acronuridae. 



Trunk deep and laterally compressed, covered with small scales. The tau in 

 adult examples provided with one or several hony plates or spines. Jaws with a row 

 of cutting teeth. Anal fin with three spines. Eocene to Recent. 



The living genera dwell chiefly in the vicinity of coral reefs. 



The existing genera Acanthurus, Forsk., and Naseus, Commerson, are 

 recorded from the Upper 

 Eocene of Monte Bolca ; the 

 former also from the Calcaire 

 Grossier of Paris and the 

 Miocene of Vienna. 



Aulorhamphus, Zigno 

 (Calamostoma, Steind. non 

 Ag.). Eocene. 



Family 12. Oarangidae. 



Horse-mackerels. 



Trunk laterally compressed, 

 deep or elongated, naked or with 

 small scales. Teeth conical. 

 Spinous portion of the dorsal 

 fin shorter than the soft portion ; 

 pelvic fins thoracic, sometimes 

 rudimentary or absent. Eocene 

 to Recent. 



Marine predaceous fishes 

 of the tropical and temperate 

 zones, common' in Tertiary 

 formations. 



Platax, Cuv. Fossil in the 

 Upper Eocene of Monte Bolca 

 and in the dag (Lower Plio- 

 cene) of Norfolk Recent. 



Z and US, Commers. 

 Eocene and Recent. j -d i • 



Semiophorus, Ag. (Fig. 188). Upper Eocene; Monte Bolca and Belguim. 



Other genera with extinct representatives are the following -.—Amphistium, 



Fig. 188. 



Semioiihorxis velifer, Ag. Upper Eocene ; Monte Bolca. 



1/2 nat. size (after Agassiz). 



