454 GEOGRAPHICAL ZOOLOGY. [part iv 



Family 78.— OSTEOGLOSSID^. (3 Genera, 5 Species.) 



"Fresh-water fishes, with large hard scales, and dorsal fin 

 opposite and equal to the anal fin." 



DiSTKiBUTiON. — Tropical rivers. 



The genera are : — Osteoglossum (3 sp.), Eastern South America, 

 Sunda Islands, and Queensland; Arapaima (1 sp.). Eastern 

 South America — the " Pirarucii " of the Amazon ; Heterotis (1 

 sp.), Tropical Africa, 



Family 79.— CLUPEID^. (18 Genera, 161 Species.) 



" Marine scaly fishes, without barbels, and with the abdomen 

 often compressed and serrated." 



Distribution, — Seas of the whole globe, many species enter- 

 ing rivers. They are most abundant in the Indian seas, less so 

 in America, scarce in Africa, while they are almost absent from 

 Australia. The Herring, Sprat, Shad, and Pilchard, are British 

 species of Chipea, a genus which contains 61 species and ranges 

 all over the world. 



Family 80.— CHIROCENTPtlD^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



" A marine fish, with thin deciduous scales, no barbels, and 

 posterior dorsal fin." 



Distribution. — The Eastern seas from Africa to China. 



Family 81.— ALEPOCEPHALID^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



" A marine fish, covered with thin cycloid scales, no barbels, 

 and posterior dorsal fin." 



Distribution. — Deep waters of the Mediterranean. 



