SKELETON OF THE HADDOCK. 433 



region bears superior neural processes, uniting in a neural 

 arch crowned by a neural spine, and transverse processes 

 projecting from each side. Articulated to the distal ends of 

 the transverse processes are the downward curving ribs, and 

 also more delicate inter-muscular bones which curve up- 

 wards. In the caudal vertebrae, the centra bear not only 

 superior neural processes, but also inferior haemal processes. 



At the end of the vertebral column lies a fan-shaped 

 hypural bone which helps to support the tail. The fin-rays 

 are jointed flexible rods, which in dorsal and anal fins are 

 attached to the ends of interspinous bones alternating with 

 the neural and haemal spines, and attached to them by 

 fibrous tissue. 



The Skull includes the following bones, whose relative 

 positions are roughly indicated by that of their names. 

 Those of the membrane bones are printed in italics : — 



Mesethmoid. Frontal. Supra-oz&p\'aX. 



Nasal. Parietal. 



Sphenotic. Pterotic. Epiotic. 

 Parethmoid. Alisphenoid. 



Lachrymal. Orbitals. Prootic. Opisthotic. Ex-occipital. 



Vomer, P-a-r-a-s-p-h-e-n-oid. Basi-occipital. 



The first or mandibular arch is believed by many to form 

 Meckel's cartilage beneath, and the palato-pterygo-quadrate 

 cartilage above. Meckel's cartilage becomes the foundation 

 of the lower jaw, and bears a large tooth-bearing membrane 

 bone — the dentary, a small corner bone — the angular, while 

 the articular element is a cartilage bone. Of the bones asso- 

 ciated with the upper part, the palatine lies in front, the 

 quadrate articulates with the lower jaw ; while between 

 palatine and quadrate lie the pterygoid, the mesopterygoid, 

 and the metapterygoid. 



The second or hyoid arch is believed by many to form the 

 hyomandibular and the symplectic above, and various hyoid 

 bones beneath. The hyomandibular and its inferior seg- 

 ment the symplectic connect the quadrate with the side of 

 the skull. Of the six hyal bones, the largest and most im- 

 portant is the ceratohyal, which bears seven long branchio- 

 stegal rays. 



The toothed premaxilla forms the upper part of the gape, 

 2 E 



