72 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
pores, and also that the anterior part of the scale 
(covered by the skin) is of a somewhat stronger struc- 
ture, and separated from the other part by a sharp, 
double curve, which bends first inwards and then as 
sharply forwards (in the direction of the body). The 
tine striations are continued on the curve, but the 
inmost part of the scale is crossed by transverse, 
thickening lines. The dorsal fin-covers (the scales form- 
ing the groove into which the dorsal tin may be de- 
pressed) are in one respect irregular — the curve is 
knee-formed, so that it extends both over the anterior 
and inferior parts of the scale, the free part of which 
thus becomes the superior-posterior. In a downward, 
transverse row from one of these ‘fin-covers’ we first 
find small scales with the free part rounded or emar- 
ginate at its posterior edge, and also divided at the 
circumference from the anterior part of the scale by 
an incision in the upper and lower margins. In front 
of this incision the anterior (covered) part of the scale 
projects in a shorter (upward) or longer (downward) 
process. It is these processes, with the thickening lines 
mentioned above, that at the middle of the side of the 
body are so elongated that the one scale is joined in 
synarthros by its inferior process to the superior process 
of the scale next in order below it. When we add to this 
the externally visible elevation (transverse elongation) 
of the whole scale in the rows at the middle of the 
body, it is evident that if the thin, posterior (free) 
part of the scale were taken away, we should find rib- 
like formations in the integument, exactly like those 
described in the Pycnodonts, a Ganoid group which 
existed from the Carboniferous period to the beginning 
of the Tertiary, and to which the Bramidse have no 
further relationship than the sometimes striking like- 
ness in the form of the body and the vertical fins. 
Our knowledge of the Bramidce is as yet compa- 
ratively scanty. They are deep-sea fishes, all presu- 
mably of wide geographical range. The principal di- 
stinctions between the two genera which belong to 
the Scandinavian Fauna, are given in the following 
scheme: 
1 : The row of scales at the extreme dorsal and 
ventral edges along the base of the dorsal 
and anal fins, consists of high scales (fin- 
covers), which are so arranged, that they form 
a deep groove, in which these fins, which are 
otherwise without scales, may he sunk Pterycombus. 
2: No fin-groove. Dorsal and anal fins covered 
with scales Brama. 
Genus PTERYCOMBUS. 
The dorsal fin begins at the occiput, vertically above the posterior orbital margin. The anal fin begins behind 
the perpendicular from the insertion of the pectoral fins. The longest rays of the first named fins measure less 
than the greatest depth of the body. Fin-covers large, from 50 to 53 pairs at the base of the dorsal fin and 
about 40 at that of the anal. Eyes large; diameter of the orbit nearly half the length of the head. Pedate 
without teeth. 
At the first glance the extent of the dorsal and 
anal fins seems to be the clearest distinction between 
this genus and Pteraclis, particularly as in adult spe- 
cimens of the latter genus these fins are considerably 
higher, especially in comparison with the depth of the 
body, which is lower and has smaller fin-covers. But 
in youth, according to Lutken (1. c.) Pteraclis bears a 
much closer resemblance to Pterycombus and has a 
higher form of body and lower fins. 
Of the latter genus only one species is known. 
