48 



CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



{SyngnathidcB), as well as to Fistularia, Last of all come 

 the Ophidonidce, having a thicker and more robust 



structure : they are per- 



9 A\\\\\\\\V\ fectly eel-shaped, both in 



their long, slimy, and 

 but slightly compressed 

 bodies, and in the total 

 absence of ventral fins : 

 like those fishes, also^ 

 which they thus strik- 

 ingly resemble, the dor- 

 sal and anal fins are 

 united, without there be- 

 ing any distinct caudal. 

 The Ophidians, however, 

 are immediately known 

 from all the Anguilliform 

 types by their branchia, the opening of which is very 

 wide, while that of the Apodes is invariably contracted 

 to a spiracle. The species, as yet, do not exceed four or 

 five, and they are all rather small fishes. None of the 

 Gymnetres, indeed, appear to be valuable as articles of 

 food. In many countries they are looked upon by the 

 fisherman with a som.ewhat superstitious feeling, and 

 believed to be poisonous. The specimen of the Lophotes 

 Siculus, subsequently described, weighed many pounds, 

 and was served up at the table of the late king of Naples. 

 The different species of Cepolce, again, are found in 

 abundance on the Sicilian coast, and are sold in the 

 markets, with other moderate-sized fishes. 



(50.) The systematic analysis of this tribe will be 

 found elsewhere ; and we shall now exhibit the result 

 of this arrangement in regard to the relations which it 

 bears to other tribes. If its analogies to the Coryphi- 

 nidce, or dolphins, can be satisfactorily made out, the 

 experienced ichthyologist will have no difficulty in com- 

 paring it with all the circular groups of the class that 

 have been more analytically detailed. 



