ORDER TELEOSTEI. 



1003 



Suborder 2. Anacanthini. — In this and the four following sub- 

 orders, together forming the Physoclysti of some writers, the swim- 

 bladder (when present) has no connection with the pharynx, and 

 the pelvic fins are nearly always thoracic or jugular in position — in 

 the latter case being in advance of the pectorals. The present sub- 

 order is further characterised by the rays of the dorsal fin being soft 

 and jointed, and the pelvic fin never abdominal. 



Family Gadid^e. — In the Cod family the body (fig. 939) is sym- 

 metrical, and covered with small scales ; there may be three dorsal 



The Cod (Gadus morrhud). Reduced. 



fins, and the pelvic fins are jugular. All the genera are marine, 

 and the family is unknown before the Eocene. The extinct Nemo- 

 fiteryx and Palczogadus have been described from the Eocene of 

 Glarus ; while in the London Clay of Sheppey we have species 



Fig. 940. — Skeleton of Rhombiis minimus; from the Middle Eocene of Monte Bolca. 



allied to Gadus (Cod), Merluccius (Hake), and Physis. Other 

 Gadoids occur in the Miocene of Sicily. 



Family Pleuronectid/e. — The Flat-fishes are characterised by 

 the extreme lateral compression of the body (fig. 940), of which the 



