390 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



Tail pointed. O. barhatum and Imberhe axe British spe- 

 cies. 



70. Ammodytes. Anal, dorsal, and caudal fins separat- 

 ed. A. tobianus. 



B. ACONTHROPTEIIYGIOUS FiSHES. 



The fishes of this division have the first rays of the dor- 

 sal, ventral, and anal fins, supported by simple spinous rays. 

 In some cases, the rays of the first dorsal fin are naked. 

 The genera are numerous, and exhibit so many points of 

 resemblance, that it has hitherto been found impracticable 

 to assign distinct limits to each. M. Cuvier has endea- 

 voured to distribute them into different familes and tribes ; 

 but, in this case, he has not reached his ordinary degree of 

 success. It would have been more advantageous to the 

 progress of ichthyology, had definite artificial divisions been 

 formed, rather than what are termed natural groups, 

 which consist of genera brought together, before the links 

 which connect them have been determined. But, as no 

 methodical distribution having higher claims has been 

 offered, we shall here give a very brief outUne of its di- 

 visions. 



I. Tffinioid.E. Body lengthened and much compress- 

 ed, with a dorsal fin along the whole back. 



a. Snout short. Maxillaries distinct. 



71. Cepola. Caudal fin distinct. C. rubescens. 



72. LoPHOTEs. Body pointed behind. L. lepcdianus. 



73. Regalecus. Body pointed behind. The rays of 

 the ventral fins separate and produced. R. HaxoJcenii has 

 been found in Cornwall. 



74. Gymnetrus. Pectoral fins very small. Upper jaw 

 very extensile. (G. ccpedianus). 



75. Trachypterus. Distinct caudal fins. Rays of the 

 dorsal fin round, and the first ones denticulated. Cepola 

 trachyptera. Gm. 



