104 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



VIII. OKDEK. — Spine-less Fishes (Anacanthini). 



Endo-skeleton ossified ; exo-skeleton in some as 

 cycloid, in others as ctenoid scales ; fins supported 

 by flexible or jointed rays ; ventrals beneath pec- 

 torals, or none ; swimming-bladder without air-duct, 



I. SUB-ORDER. — Thoracic Spine-less Fishes 

 (Thoracici). 



1. Family. — Fiat-Fishes (Pleuronectidpe). Body oval, 



very thin ; dorsal and ventral fins extend 

 nearly whole length of fish ; head non-sym- 

 metrical ; both eyes on same side of head ; 

 swim on the side ; seldom quit the bottom. 



2. Family. — Anguilliform Cod-Fishes (Brotulidse). 



Body anguilliform ; scales very small ; dorsal 

 fin one, united to caudal and anal, termi- 

 nating in a point. 

 '3. Family. — Torshs (Brosmiidse). Body elongated ; 

 dorsal fin one, long, extending whole length 

 of body j ventrals fleshy. 



4. Family. — Forked-Beards (Phycidse). Head broad, 



depressed ; dorsal fins two ; ventral fins with 

 posterior rays obsolete, or altogether wanting, 

 the anterior rays being prolonged and forked ; 

 chin furnished with a cirrhus. 



5. Family. — Hakes (Merlucciidae). Body elongate ; 



dorsals fins two, the first sometimes composed 

 of fleshy filaments, and scarcely perceptible ; 

 anal fin one ; ventrals with five distinct rays. 



6. Family. — God-Fishes (Gadidse). Body slimy; 



scales very small; fins fleshy; all the rays 



