7o8 



TELEOSTEI 



middle and at the sides by the enlarged pelvic bones and fins, 

 and behind by the enlarged lamellar post-clavicles, which are 

 formed of two pieces. Ventral fins jugular, widely separated 

 from each other, formed of 1 short spine and 4 or 5 soft rays. 

 Gill-openings narrow ; 5 or 6 branchiostegal rays ; gills 3 or 3^- ; 

 pseudobranchiae well developed. Body naked. Dorsal and anal 

 fins short, composed entirely of soft branched rays. 



First placed with the Acanthopterygians by J. Muller, 

 notwithstanding the absence of spinous rays in the vertical fins, 

 and removed from the vicinity of the Cyclopteridae by Glinther, 

 raised to the rank of a Sub-order (Xenopteri) near the Ana- 

 canthini by Gill, the exact systematic position of this curious 



Fig. 428. — Sicyases sanguineus, natural size, a, Anus ; oj), opercle ; pf, pectoral fin. 



type of Fishes has long been a matter of uncertainty. The posi- 

 tion of the ventral fins suggests, at first glance, affinity with the 

 Callionymidae, and a comparison of the skeletons of these two 

 types has convinced me that they are really related to each 

 other, although both highly modified in different directions. 



The Cling-Fishes are curious small, carnivorous. Marine Fishes, 

 usually found between tide-marks among loose stones and shells, 

 to which they adhere firmly by means of the adhesive ventral 

 disk. They can live a long time out of water. About 50 

 species are known, from various parts of the world, extending as 

 far north as Scotland and Vancouver Island, and southwards to 



