552 



FISHES. 



rior dorsal ; the second very long, continued to the end of the 

 tail, and composed of very feeile rays ; anal of an extent similar 

 to that of the second dorsal ; no caudal. Ventral fins thoracic 

 or jugular, composed of several rays. 



This family, known a few years ago from a limited number 

 of examples, representing a few species only, proves to be one 

 whicb is distributed over all oceans, occurring in considerable 

 variety and gi-eat abundance at depths of from 120 to 2600 

 fathoms. They are, in fact. Deep-sea Gadoids, much resemb- 

 ling each other in the general shape of their body, but differ- 

 ing ia the form of the snout and in the structure of their 

 scales. About forty species are known, of which many attain 

 a length of three feet. They have been referred to the fol- 

 lowing genera : — 



Fig. 257. — Macrurus australLs. 



Macrurus. — Scales of moderate size; snout produced, 

 conical ; mouth inferior. 



CoRYPHiENOiDES. — Scales of moderate size ; snout obtuse, 

 obliquely truncated ; cleft of the mouth lateral. 



Macruronus.- — Scales of moderate size, spiny; snout pointed; 

 mouth anterior and I'ateral, with the lower jaw projecting. 



Malacocephalus. — Scales very small, ctenoid ; snout short, 

 obtuse, obliquely truncated. 



Bathygadus. — Scales small, cycloid; snout not projecting 

 beyond the mouth ; mouth wide, anterior, and lateral. 



