104; MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



VIII. ORDER. SPINE-LESS FISHES (Anacanthini). 



Endo-skeleton ossified ; exo-skeleton in some as 

 cycloid, in others as ctenoid scales ; fins supported 

 by flexible or jointed rays ; ventrals beneath pec- 

 torals, or none ; swimming-bladder without air-duct. 



I. S UB-ORDER. THORACIC SPIXE-LESS FISHES 

 (Thoracici). 



1. FAMILY. Flat-Fishes (Pleuronectidse). Body oval, 



very thin ; dorsal and ventral fins extend 

 nearly whole length of fish ; head non-sym- 

 metrical ; both eyes on same side of head ; 

 swim on the side ; seldom quit the bottom. 



2. FAMILY. Anguilliform God-Fishes (Brotulidse). 



Body anguilliform ; scales very small ; dorsal 

 fin one, united to caudal and anal, termi- 

 nating in a point. 



3. FAMILY. Torsks (Brosmiidse). Body elongated ; 



dorsal fin one, long, extending whole length 

 of body ; ventrals fleshy. 



4 FAMILY. Forked-Beards (Phycidse). Head broad, 

 depressed ; dorsal fins two ; ventral fins with 

 posterior rays obsolete, or altogether wanting, 

 the anterior rays being prolonged and forked ; 

 chin furnished with a cirrhus. 



5. FAMILY. Hakes (Merlucciida3). Body elongate ; 



dorsals fins two, the first sometimes composed 

 of fleshy filaments, and scarcely perceptible ; 

 anal fin one ', ventrals with five distinct rays. 



6. FAMILY. God-Fishes (Gadida3). Body slimy; 



scales very small; fins fleshy; all the rays 



