PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 221 



to that between the posterior ones, and the frontal cavity much broader 

 than high. 



Until lately, known from a single specimen obtained in Labrador by 

 Audubon, the ornithologist, aud now preserved in the British Museum. 

 There is, however, a specimen in the collection of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution from St. Augustine, Florida, whence it was sent by Dr. J. M. 

 Laing, U. S. A. 



The relations of the ^North American genera to the other members of 

 the families in question will be exhibited in the subsequent notes. 



NOTE OX THE A>TE>\\ABIID.I. 



By THEODORE GILL. 



The relations of the only known Xorth American representative of 

 the family of Antenuariids to the other members of the family is exhib- 

 ited in the following analytical synopsis, which is essentially the same 

 as that published by the author in 1863. In the present synopsis, how- 

 ever, the most generalized forms (or those supposed to be such) are 

 placed first aud followed by those successively more aberrant or spe- 

 cialized. The two species hitherto retained under the generic designa- 

 tion Brachionichthys are also differentiated as distinct generic types. 

 Dr. Liitken has recently expressed the opinion that Pterophnjne and 

 Histiophryne appear to be congeneric, but they really seem to be not 

 even closely related. 



la. Head compressed; the rostral spine or tentacle as well as two other robust spines 

 developed ; soft dorsal well developed. 

 2a. Body oblong claviform ; mouth comparatively small ; palate unarmed ; second 

 and third spines approximated and well connected by membrane and 



forming a fin; pelvic bones short Brachionichthyixje. 



3a. First dorsal spine connected with second, and third with soft dorsal fin 



by an incised membrane Sympterichthys. 



36. First dorsal spine free from second, and third from soft dorsal fin. 



Brachionichthys. 



2b. Body oval, with tumid abdomen; mouth quite large; palate armed with 

 teeth ; second and third spines distant and not at all or scarcely con- 

 nected; pelvic bones elongated Axtexxaeiixje. 



3a. First and second dorsal spines disconnected ; the first filamentous, with 

 tentacle at end. 



4a. D. 12, A. 7. Caudal peduncle free; skin smooth or scarcely granular; 

 mouth oblique; wrists and pectorals slender; ventrals elongated; 

 dorsal spines free from membrane ; dorsal fin more than half as long 

 as body ; anal extended downward Ptcrophryne. 



46. D. 12, A. 7—6. Caudal peduncle free ; skin rough with spines ; mouth 

 vertical; wrists and i^ectorals widened ; ventrals short; 3d dorsal spine 

 partly immersed in skin; dorsal fin less than half as long as body; 

 anal oblong Antennarius. 



