88 



NA TURA L II 1 8 TORY. 



by the great length of the dorsal fin, which extends between the head and tail. The caudal fin is 

 forked. 



FAMILY XXII. COR YPHLENINA. 



This family has no teeth in the oesophagus. It includes nine genera, most of which occur in the 

 Mediterranean and Eastern seas, and among other fishes Ray's Bream and the Opah. The Ray's 

 Bream (Brama rail) ranges from the Cape Seas northward into the Mediterranean and along the 

 British coast. It is about seventeen inches long, exclusive of the fins, and five inches and 

 a half deep. The tail is deeply divided, and the dorsal and anal fins are elongated and have 



the first few spines produced beyond the others. The pectoral fins are long. The Opah (Lampris 

 luna) is a remarkable type, with a compressed, elevated body, covered with small scales, which 

 are deciduous. The fins are all red ; there is no spinous portion to the dorsal fin ; the ventral fins 

 are placed behind the middle of the body. The back and sides are a rich green with purple and 

 gold reflections ; the body becomes yellowish-green or bluish below, and is covered with white 

 spots. Its flesh is red or yellowish, and is said to have a sweet and rich flavour. Individuals 

 attain a large size, but the specimens usually captured do not reach a length of four feet. It is 

 well known in the North Atlantic, and enters the Mediterranean. 



FAMILY XXIII. NOMEINA. 



The members of this family are scombroid fishes, with an oblong body covered with cycloid 

 scales, having two dorsal fins, of which the soft dorsal is the more developed. The family includes six 

 genera, among which are Gasterochisma, remarkable for having a deep fissure on the abdomen, in 

 which the long and broad ventral fin can be completely concealed. The only species, Gasterochisma 



