120 VERTEBRATA. PISCES. 



and by wanting the long tail filament. It is more- 

 over but a few inches in length. 



This family closes the first Order of Bony Fishes, 

 viz., those with spinous rays to the fins. 



Another large section of Bony Fishes consists of 

 those whose fins, destitute of spines, are supported 

 by soft and flexible rays, either jointed or branched, 

 or sometimes both. This Division, termed Malacop- 

 terygii,* comprises three Orders, named from the 

 presence and position of the ventral fins. 



* MaXaxo?, malakos, soft, and wri^v^pteryic, a fin. 



