694 TELEOSTEI chap. 



characters have, however, not yet been tested on a sufficient 

 number of the very numerous forms grouped under Cottidae, 

 some of which I have already transferred to the Comephoridae. 



Synopsis of the Families. 



I. Head not completely cuirassed. 



A. Ventral fins not widely separated ; none of the pectoral pterygials in 



contact with the clavicle. 

 Two nostrils on each side ; basis cranii double ; gill-membranes free from 



isthmus ........ 1. Scorpaenidae. 



A single nostril on each side ; basis cranii double ; gill-membranes free from 



isthmus ....... 2. Hexagrammidae. 



Two nostrils on each side ; basis cranii simple ; giU-membranes free or 



narrowly attached to isthmus .... 3. Comephoridae. 

 Two nostrils on each side ; basis cranii simple ; gill-opening narrow, above 



base of pectoral ...... 4. Bhamphocottidae. 



B. Ventral fins, if present, not widely separated ; one or several of the 



pterygials in contact with the clavicle. 

 Ventral fins distinct ; gill-clefts wide . . 5. Cottidae. 



Ventral fins united into a sucking disk ; gill-opening narrow, above base of 

 pectoral ...... 6. Gyclopteridae. 



C. Ventral fins widely separated ; none of the pterygials in contact with 

 the clavicle. 



Ventral fins behind base of pectorals ; praecaudal vertebrae without trans- 

 verse processes . . ... 7. Platycephalidae. 



Ventral fins a little in front of base of pectorals ; praecaudal vertebrae with 

 transverse processes ..... 8. Hoplichthyidae. 



II. Head completely cuirassed. 



Ventral fins narrowly separated ; no pectoral appendages ; pterygials short 

 and broad ...... 9. Agonidae. 



Ventral fins widely separated ; 2 or 3 lowermost rays of pectoral fin detached 

 as feelers ; pterygials short and broad . .10. Triglidae. 



Ventral fins narrowly separated ; pectoral fin divided into two portions ; 

 pterygials elongate . . . . .11. Bactylopteridae. 



Fam. 1. Scorpaenidae. — Head not or but incompletely 

 cuirassed, usually with spines ; basis cranii double ; parietal bones 

 often meeting on the median line, over the supraoccipital ; two 

 nostrils on each side. GiU-membranes free from isthmus ; gills 

 S-J or 4; pseudobranchiae present. Vertebrae 24 to 37, the 

 anterior praecaudals with sessile ribs bearing epipleurals, the 

 posterior with transverse processes, often directed downwards, or 

 forming haemal arches, bearing the rib and the epipleural. Post- 

 temporal more or less distinctly forked, more or less firmly anky- 

 losed to the skull ; scapula and coracoid well developed, in contact 

 with each other or separated by cartilage ; pector^ rays inserted 



