ZOOLOGICAL 



43 



MASTACEMBELIDJ3. Plate 22, Map ii. 

 This is a small group inhabiting fresh and brackish waters in Tropical 

 Africa and Southern Asia. Only two genera are differentiated to contain 

 the 30 odd species. They are somewhat eel-shaped in appearance, and little 

 is known of their habits beyond the fact that they are carnivorous. 



LOPHOTID.E (Unicorn-Fishes). Plate 22, Map ii. 

 Only three or four species of this family are known, and all belong to a 

 single genus (Lophotes). They have been recorded from the Mediterranean, 

 the Atlantic off Madeira, the Cape of Good Hope, the Sea of Japan and 

 New Zealand. They have a much elongated body, somewhat like the 

 Ribbon-Fishes of the next family (Trachypteridse), but differ from them in 

 the possession of an anal fin. The head is armed with a curious recurved 

 spine, whence the popular name is derived. The Unicorn-Fishes inhabit the 

 deep sea, but not to such a great depth as the Ribbon-Fishes. 



TRACHYPTERID^l (Ribbon-Fishes). Plate 22, Map ii. 



The Ribbon- Fishes, of which two genera and about 15 species are 

 differentiated, are inhabitants of the deep sea, and are chiefly known through 

 specimens which have been stranded on the coasts of Britain, Norway, India, 

 New Zealand, and other countries. Their whole organisation is of much 

 interest, adapted as it is to withstand the enormous pressure which exists in 

 the abysses of the ocean. One of the best-known forms is the so-called Oar- 

 Fish, or "King of the Herrings " (Regalecus glesne), a creature attaining a 

 length of over 20 feet, and remarkable for the curious appendages on the 

 head and the long filaments which represent the pelvic fins. Over 20 

 specimens of this extraordinary creature are known to have been stranded 

 on the British coasts, and about a dozen on that of Norway. Another 

 singular species is the Deal-Fish (Trachypterus arcticus), of which a few 

 examples have been stranded on our shores. 



OPHIDIID^l (Snake-Fishes, &c). Plate 22, Map iii. 



The Ophidiidse, of which about 25 species are known, have a wide dis- 

 tribution in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Three genera are 

 recognised, of which the typical one (Ophidium), contains the smallest 

 members of the family, among which one occurs in Southern Europe and 

 rarely on the south coast of England. Genypterus is of more importance, 

 comprising several species which occur in southern seas. The best-known 

 of these are the " klipvisch " (G. capensis) of the Cape of Good Hope, and 

 the "Cloudy Bay Cod" (G. australis) of New Zealand. Both are important 

 as food-fishes, attaining a length of 5 feet. 



ZOARCID^: (Viviparous Blennies, &c). Plate 22, Map iii. 



This is a large and widely distributed family, containing about 130 species 

 and a large number of genera. Many of the species are denizens of the 

 deep sea, while two are inhabitants of fresh water in Cuban caves, and are 

 interesting from the fact that they are blind. The typical genus Zoarces is 

 represented in British waters by the so-called Viviparous Blenny (Z. 

 viviparus), a small fish which is common along the whole of the northern 

 coasts of Europe. An allied species, called the American Eel-Pout or 

 Mutton-Fish {Z. anguillaris), is common on the western side of the Atlantic 

 to the northwards of Cape Cod. Ly codes is abundant in northern seas, 

 furnishing food for the Esquimaux and other northern races. 



BATRACHID-SI (Frog-Fishes). Plate 22, Map iii. 



Five genera and about a score of species are referable to this family, and 

 these are natives of warm and tropical seas. One species, the European 

 Toad-Fish (Batrachus didactylus) occurs in the Mediterranean. Opsanus tau 

 is a well-known form inhabiting rocky places on the Atlantic coast of North 

 America ; while Thalassophryne is an interesting genus from the fact that 

 its members possess a well-developed poison apparatus in connection with 

 the gill-cover and dorsal spines. The well-armed fishes of the latter genus 

 are found along both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts of Central America. 



BLENNIID^ (Blennies, &c). Plate 22, Map iii. 



This is a large and important family, with numerous genera and about 

 350 species, which are found in nearly all seas and a few in fresh waters. 

 Several species belonging to the typical genus (Blennius) are found off the 

 British coasts, but the most important, as well as the largest, of our native 

 representatives is the so-called "Wolf-Fish" or "Cat-Fish" {Anarrhichas 

 lupus). This species attains a length of 5 or 6 feet, and is highly esteemed 

 as food. More often, however, it is discarded on account of its repulsive 

 appearance, 



GOBIESOCID.S (Sucker-Fishes). Plate 22, Map iv. 

 These curious fishes, sometimes called "Cling-Fishes," have a wide distri- 

 bution and occur in all latitudes from Scandinavia to New Zealand. About 

 50 species are known, and three (belonging to the genus Lepadogaster) are 

 more or less frequent off the British coasts. Gobiesox is confined to the 

 West Indies and the Pacific coast of South America • while certain other 

 genera (e.g., Trachelochismus) are natives of southern seas. All the fishes of 

 this family are characterised by the possession of an adhesive disc on the 

 under surface of the body. This peculiar structure at one time led to some 

 confusion between the Gobiesocidee and the Lumpsuckers (Cyclopteridse), 

 with which, however, they have little in common. 



TRICHONOTID^ (Hairy-Backs). Plate 22, Map iv. 



The Trichonotidse are small fishes, confined to the Indian Ocean and the 

 seas around New Zealand. Only five species, placed in three genera, are 

 known. They are closely allied to the Dragonets (Callionymidse). 



TRACHINID^ (Weavers, &c). Plate 22, Map iv. 



The Trachinidse and their allies occur in all seas, and have been con- 

 sidered by the most recent authorities as representing at least five distinct 

 families. The true Weavers belong to a single genus (Trachinus), and are 

 found on the coasts of Europe and West Africa, with two species (T. draco 

 and T. vipera), occurring commonly in British seas. These fishes are some- 

 times used as food, but require careful handling, since they are able to inflict 

 dangerous wounds with their sharp dorsal and opercular spines, at the base 

 of which are developed small poison glands. The Leptoscopidse are a group 

 of deep-sea forms (about 25 known species), which occur from the Tropics to 

 the Antarctic Circle, while the Nototheniida? comprise about 40 species from 

 southern seas. The Uranoscopidse, sometimes called "Star-gazers," have a 

 wide distribution, chiefly within the Tropics, but occurring from the 

 Mediterranean and Japan to New Zealand. 



DACTYLOPTERIDiE (Flying-Gurnards). Plate 22, Map iv. 



Of this family only four species are known, belonging to a single genus 

 (Dactylopterus). They occur chiefly in the warmer regions of the Atlantic 

 and Indo-Pacific Oceans, and are remarkable for their power of leaping out of 

 the water and through the air like the true Flying-Fishes of the genus 

 Exoccetus (family Scombresocidse). Dactylopterus volitans is common in the 

 Mediterranean. 



TRIGLID^ (Gurnards). Plate 22, Map v. 



About 50 species are referred to this family, and many of them are 

 remarkable for their brilliant colours. They occur in all temperate and 

 tropical seas, and Britain claims at least six species, which are all members 

 of the typical genus (Trigla). The fishes of this group are remarkable for 

 the peculiar appendages of their large pectoral fins, which are used as feelers 

 when the fish creeps along the bottom of the sea. They are not unimportant 

 as food-fishes. 



AGONID.E (Armed Bullhead, &c). Plate 22, Map v. 



This family comprises about 40 species, which are known in America as 

 " Sea-Poachers " or " Alligator-Fishes." They are mainly inhabitants of the 

 Northern Atlantic and Pacific, but representatives occur off Chili and 

 Patagonia. Some of the members of this family have a fantastic appearance, 

 owing to their armoured bodies and greatly developed fins. The " Pogge " 

 or Armed Bullhead (Agonus cataphractus) is the only representative in 

 British waters, and is a small, littoi'al fish, occurring on many of our coasts. 



CYCLOPTERIDiE (Lumpsuckers). Plate 22, Map v. 



The Lumpsuckers are clumsy - looking fishes, inhabiting chiefly the 

 northern oceans, but occurring also in the Antarctic. They are carnivorous in 

 habit, and voracious feeders, though sluggish in their movements. About 50 

 species are known, three of which are British. These are the Common 

 Lumpsucker {Gyclopterus lumpus), and two species of " Sea-Snail " belonging 

 to the genus Liparis. Many of the Cyclopteridse live at great depths in the 

 ocean, some descending to 1800 fathoms. They possess a ventral disc 

 which enables them to attach themselves firmly to rocks, hence their 

 popular name. 



COTTIDJE (Bullheads, &c). Plate 22, Map v. 



The Cottidse are chiefly inhabitants of northern seas, but a few forms 

 are found as far south as South Georgia on the fringe of the Antarctic Ocean. 

 Most of the 200 odd species are marine, but a few occur in fresh waters, as 

 shown on the Map. Four species occur in Britain, one of which (Gottus gobio) 

 is a fresh-water species called popularly the River Bullhead, occurring in 

 clear streams throughout England. The three marine British forms are all 

 likewise members of the genus Gottus, and are chiefly inhabitants of the 

 littoral zone. 



HEXAGRAMMID^l (Hexagrammus, &c). Plate 22, Map vi. 



These fishes, of which six genera and 12 species are known, are confined 

 to the Northern Pacific, occurring on rocky coasts from California to 

 Northern China. Many of the species are highly esteemed as food. 



SCORP-ffiNID^ (Scorpsenoids). Plate 22, Map vi. 



This is an extensive family, of world-wide distribution, comprising about 

 250 species and many deep-sea forms. Numerous genera have been 

 described, while the external form of these fishes presents much variety. 

 Sebastes norvegicus and Scorpsana dactyloptera are the only known British 

 representatives, the former being known as the "Bergylt" or "Norway 

 Haddock." 



ECHENEIDID£! (Sucking-Fishes). Plate 22, Map vi. 



These fishes are remarkable from the fact that the spinous portion of the 

 dorsal fin is modified to form a powerful sucking disc, by means of which 

 they attach themselves to boats, sharks, whales and other large dead or 

 living objects. Three genera and about 10 species are known, which are 

 found in the warmer portions of all seas. One species has occurred a few 

 times in British waters. 



GOBIIDiE (Gobies, &c). Plate 22, Map vi. 



This is an extensive and widely-distributed family, comprising about 600 

 species, occurring in all temperate and tropical seas, and having fresh- water 

 representatives almost in all parts of the world. One species, known as 

 Mistichthys luzonensis, a native of the Philippine Islands, is of special 

 interest, as it is believed to be the smallest known vertebrate animal. Full- 





