FISHES OF FAMILY BLENNIIDAE 33 



anterodorsolaterally extending arm of each palatine is connected 

 loosely to the antero-external surface of its respective maxillary. A 

 laterally directed, recurved, hooklike process of each maxiUary clasps 

 the arched arm of its respective palatine somewhat dorsal to the ventral 

 end of the palatine arm. The palatine arm and the end of the maxillary 

 hook are visible just anterior to the anterior marginal concavity of the 

 lachrymal. On the dorsal surface of the proximalmost portion of the 

 palatine arm, there is a slightly concave surface that articulates with 

 the condylar surface of its respective lateral ethmoid. 



The anteromesial end of each palatine is attached strongly to the 

 ventromesial surface of its respective lateral ethmoid and to the 

 dorsoposterior surface of the head of the vomer on its respective side. 



Each ectopterygoid is joined along its anteroventral margin to its 

 respective palatine and along its anterodorsal margin to its respective 

 mesopterygoid. Posteromesially each ectopterygoid is joined to the 

 anteromesial surface of its respective quadrate. The ventroposterior 

 edge of the ectopterygoid rests in a shallow groove on the quadrate's 

 anteroventral surface. The ectopterygoid at its posterior quarter 

 inserts in a groove on the quadrate's anteroventral margin. 



Each mesopterygoid attaches at its anteriormost end to its respec- 

 tive palatine, along the mesopterygoid ventral margin to its respective 

 ectopterygoid, and at its posteroventromesial surface to its respective 

 quadrate. The posterior margin of each mesopterygoid is attached to 

 its respective metapterygoid by connective tissue. 



Each quadrate is a fanshaped bone with a midvental process that 

 articulates with its respective articular. Each quadrate has a groove 

 anteroventrally and another ventromesially that clasp its respective 

 ectopterygoid. A groove on the posteromesial surface of each quadrate 

 attaches to its respective symplectic. Each quadrate bears a strength- 

 ened posterodorsal articulating surface that terminates in cartilage and 

 is attached ligamentously to the cartilaginous end of its respective 

 metapterygoid. The postero-internal surface of each quadrate is joined 

 closely to its respective preopercle on the latter's anteroventral surface. 

 A shallow pocket extends along the ventrolateral margin of each 

 quadrate. 



Htoid arch (fig. 8). — Each dorsal and ventral hypohyal forms an 

 interdigitating joint with its respective ceratohyal. The upper external 

 portion of each dorsal hypohyal is thin and laminar. Anteriorly the 

 laminar portion thickens and curves broadly internally encompassing 

 a f-shaped depression, the floor of which forms the roof of a cupshaped 

 depression that is bounded ventrolaterally by the ventral hypohyal. 

 The upper lateral projection of each side of the unpaired, medianly 

 positioned urohyal firmly attaches to the ventral portion of this 

 depression on its respective side. The ventrolateral projection of each 



