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Order III. ANACANTHINI. 



All the rays of the vertical and ventral fins articulated, the 

 latter, when present, jugular or thoracic. Air-bladder, if present, 

 not having a pneumatic duct. 



The order of spineless fishes, or Anacantfiini, has been divided 

 into two suborders : 



A. The two sides of the head and 



body symmetrical ANACANTHINI GADOIDEI. 



B. The two sides unsyrametrical. ANACANTHINI PLEUEONECTOIDEI. 



Suborder A. ANACANTHINI GADOIDEI. 



This suborder, to which cod, whiting, sand-eels, and other well- 

 known fishes of temperate seas belong, is poorly represented in the 

 seas around India. 



Synopsis of Indian Families. 



I. Ventrals generally with several rays. Caudal free, or if 



united to vertical fins, .the first dorsal in two portions. Gadidae. 



II. Ventral when present rudimentary. No separate portion 



of dorsal fin ; caudal usually united to vertical tins . . Ophidiidae. 



Family I. GADDXE. 



Gadoidei, pt., Cuv. 



Pseudobranchiae, when present, glandular and rudimentary. Body 

 more or less elongate. Gill-openings wide ; gill-membranes, as a 

 rule, not attached to the isthmus. From one to three dorsal fins, 

 occupyiug nearly the entire length of the back, the rays of the 

 last well developed ; one or two anal fins ; caudal usually free. 

 The dorsal with a separate anterior portion. Ventrals jugular, 

 consisting of several rays. Scales cycloid, of moderate or small 

 size. Air-bladder and pyloric appendages usually present. 



Geographical Distribution. The codfishes and their allies com- 

 posing this family are mostly confined to the sea, and, as a rule, to 

 the Arctic and temperate regions. The aberrant form Bregmaceros 

 appears to be their sole representative in the Indian seas and it has 

 a very wide range. 



