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Subclass I. TELEOSTEI. 



" Pishes with ossified, skeleton and completely 

 separated vertebrge ; the posterior extremity of the 

 vertebral column either long, or covered with bony 

 plates. Bulb of the aorta simple, with two opposite 

 valves at the origin ; branchiae free. 



Order I. ACANTHOPTEBYOII. 



" Part of the rays of the dorsal, anal, and ventral 

 fins not articulated, forming spines. The inferior 

 pharyngeal bones separated. Air-bladder, if present, 

 without pneumatic duct. 



BEHYCIDiE. 



" Porm of body oblong or rather elevated, com- 

 pressed; eyes lateral, large; cleft of mouth extend- 

 ing on the sides of the muzzle, more or less oblique ; 

 villiform teeth in both the jaws, and generally on 

 the palate. Eight or four branchiostegals. Oper- 

 cular bones more or less armed. Scales ctenoid, 

 seldom bony, or wanting. Ventral fins thoracic, 

 with more than five soft rays ; in one genus with 

 less. Caeca pylorica in increased number. 



" Tropical and temperate seas." 



I have till now found no sorts of this family in the Melbourne 

 waters, but several inhabit the Australian seas, particularly in 

 those that bathe the northern shores of the Continent. 



