278 CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES^ ETC. 



very large ; the latter prolonged behind into a sort 

 of flat moustache ; ventral fins with three external 

 rays. 



Sonneratti. Cuv. and Val. nigromarginatus. Riipp. 



xi. 495. Ail. 28.4.* (Jig, 87.) 



Family 7. GOBID^. Gobies. 



Ventral fins perfect^ very close^ and generally united, 

 of several branched rays. 



1. SuBFAM. GOBIAN^. 



Body slimy ; the head large and depressed ; the sides 

 fat and gibbous ; ventral fins entirely united into a 

 funnel ; dorsal rays setaceous and flexible ; eyes ap- 

 proximating ; size small. 



GoBius proper. Caudal fin rounded, rarely lanceolate ; 

 ventral fins completely united into a concave disk ; 

 dorsal fins two, distinct ; lower jaw longest ; Europe. 

 G. niger Auct. Jozzo. Bl. pi. 107. fig. 3. 



Sicydium Val. Resembling Gobius, but the ventral 

 fins adhere almost equally on all sides, so as to form 

 a basin ; jaws with a range of flexible, equal, serrated 

 teeth. 



S. cyanocephalum. Cuv. Val. xii. pi. 352. (Jig. 88.) 

 Ognichodes Sw. Habit of the last, but the dorsal 



* Distinguished from Sonneratti, according to Riippeli, by having four 

 instead of three external rays to the ventrals ; a character which appears 

 to me of the highest importance. M. Riippeli also states the gill membrane 

 to be of three rays only, whereas that of the former is stated to be six. 



