FINS OF (JAlSrOIDS AND TELEOSTS. 549 



first and second having only proximal and distal segments, and 

 the last a proximal segment. It is, perhaps, worth remarking 

 that the distal segments of more or fewer of the anterior elements 

 apparently ossify from two distinct lateral centres, which entirely 

 replace the primitive cartilage but nevertheless leave a persistent 

 longitudinal suture. 



The fourth fin-ray, the defensive spine, is the ray which rightly 

 belongs to the first radial element, although, as in Barbus, it is 

 mainly supported by the two laterally situated facets on the 

 adjacent extremity of the proximal segment of the second. The 

 three short anterior fin-spines, also as in Barbus, are supported 

 by the distal end of the proximal segment of the first radial 

 elemeut. 



The articular relations of the segments of the same radial 

 element to one another and to those of contiguous elements, as 

 well as the relations of the fin-rays to both, are much the same 

 as in the preceding species. 



Anal fin. — In all essentials this fin resembles the dorsal tin. 

 There are seven radial elements and nine fin-rays. Of the former 

 three, viz., the fourth, fifth, and sixth, are trisegmental, those 

 anterior to them being bisegmental, while the seventh has only a 

 proximal segment. The serrated defensive spine is the third of 

 the series of fin-rays, and, as in the dorsal tin, is the one pertaining 

 to the first radial element. 



Abramis brama. 

 Tinea tinea. 



Both the Bream and the Tench are very similar to the preceding 

 Cyprinoids in the character of their radial skeletal elements. In 

 both the dorsal and anal fins all, except the most anterior and 

 posterior, are trisegmental, the remainder being bisegmental or 

 unisegmental. 



The Bream is remarkable for possessing a series of about eight 

 well-developed lamellar ossicles which are situated immediately 

 anterior to the normal ray-bearing radial elements of the 

 dorsal fin, and lie between the neural spines of the subjacent 

 vertebrae. These ossicles are the proximal segments of the fiu- 

 supports of tlie atrophied anterior section of the dorsal fin. 



