432 GEOGRAPHICAL ZOOLOGY. [pabt iv. 



Family 25.— ACANTHOCLLJSTID,£. (1 Germs, 1 Species.) 



" A carnivorous marine fish, with long flat body and very 

 long dorsal fin." 



Distribution. — Coasts of New Zealand. 



Family 26.— COMEPHOEID^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



" An elongate, naked, large-headed fish, with two dorsal fins." 



Distribution. — Lake Baikal. 



Dr. Giinther remarks, that this fish approaches the Scombrina 

 (Mackerel) in several characters. These are exclusively marine 

 fishes, while Lake Baikal is fresh- water, and is situated among 

 mountains, at an elevation of nearly 2000 feet, and more than a 

 thousand miles from the ocean ! 



Family 27.— TRACHYPTERID^E. (3 Genera, 16 Species.) 



"Deep sea fishes, with elongate, much compressed, naked 

 bodies." 



Distribution. — Europe, East Indies, West Coast of South 

 America, New Zealand. Dr. Giinther remarks, that little is 

 known of these fishes, from their being so seldom thrown on 

 shore, and then rapidly decomposing. The Ribbon-fish (Regale- 

 eus banksii) has occurred frequently on our shores. They have 

 soft bones and muscles, small mouths, and weak dentition. 



Family 28.— LOPHOTID^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



" A marine fish, with elongate compressed naked body, and 

 high crested head." 



Distribution. — Mediterranean Sea and Japan. 



