CHAP. XX.] FISHES. 449 



Family 69.— GYMNARCHID^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



"Fresh-water fishes, resembling the Mormyridse, but with 

 tapering finless tail, and neither aual nor ventral fins." 



Distribution. — Ethiopian region. 



The only genus, Gymnarchus, inhabits the Nile and the rivers 

 of West Africa. 



Family 70.— ESOCID^. (1 Genus, 7 Species.) 



" Fresh- water fishes, with scaly bodies, no barbels, and dorsal 

 fins situated towards the tail." 



Distribution. — The Nearctic and Palsearctic regions. 



One species, the Pike {Esox hicius) ranges from Lapland to 

 Turkey, and in America from the Arctic regions to the Albany 

 river ; the remainder are American species extending South as 

 far as New Orleans. 



Family 71.— UMBEID^. (1 Genus, 2 Species.) 

 " Small fresh-water scaly fishes, without barbels or adipose fin." 

 Distribution. — Central Europe and Temperate North America. 



Family 72.— SCOMBRESOCID^. (5 Genera, 136 Species.) 



" Marine or fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies and a series 

 of keeled scales along each side of the belly." 



Distribution. — Temperate and tropical regions. 



All the genera have a wide distribution. A species of Belone 

 and one of Scomhresox are found on the British coast. The Flying 

 fishes {Exocetvs, 44 sp.), belong to this family. They abound 

 in all tropical seas and extend as far as the Mediterranean and 

 Australia. None of the genera are exclusively fresh- water, 



