328 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
ranged side by side with each other and next to the 
Ophioceplialidm, air-breathing, fresh-water fishes of the 
Indian region, together with which family they were 
united by Cope" into a group, under the name of Perc- 
esoces. Gill * 6 , on the other hand, excluded the Opliio- 
ceplialidfB from this group. These varying opinions are 
also dependent on the different importance set on the 
structure of the dorsal fin, a character which unites the 
Barracudas to the Gray Mullets (Mugilidaf), but separ- 
ates from them, not only the Tetragonuridce, but, still 
more distinctly, the Ophiocephalidce. In the case of 
these last fishes the ventral fins are also thoracic, and 
the only close resemblance they possess to the Gray 
Mullets, lies appareiit.lv in the scaly covering of the head. 
The Scandinavian fauna contains only one of these 
families. 
Fam. MU( 
Anterior part of the body broad at the dorsal side and 
but terete. First dorsal fin with 4 (extremely seldom 5) 
with 8 or 9 ( seldom 7 or 10) branched rays behind the 
fin and the three spinous rays d at the beginning of th 
cleft laterally , and furnished with small or setiform jait 
head extending forward over the forehead; on each side 
angle of the pectoral fin, as well as at the outer angle 
elongation. No distinct , continuous lateral line , but m 
ducts of the system of the lateral line. Air-bladder la 
developed. Gill-openings large. Branch iostegal rays 5 
much muscular , sometimes like a bird’s craw. Intestine 
Vertebrce 24 f , the anterior abdominal vertebrae with well- 
Based bones of the pectoral fins short and 
The Mugiloid family, which was recognised as dis- 
tinct even by Cuvier (1. c.), contains extremely similar 
species, the determination of which has been a point 
both difficult and debatable. The number of the spe- 
cies cannot, therefore, be stated with any positiveness; 
but about a hundred species have been named. These 
were distributed by Valenciennes" among 4 genera, 
by Gunther 6 among three and by the American writers 
Gill* and Jordan and Swain - 7 among six. Only one 
of these genera, the most typical and containing the 
most numerous species of the whole family occurs 
within the limits of the Scandinavian fauna. The geo- 
jILIDiE. 
more or less depressed , at the ventral side more compressed, 
strong spinous rays; second dorsal, as well as the anal 0 , 
simple, but articulated ray at the beginning of the former 
e latter. Mouth transversely set, narrow or only slightly 
’-teeth. Scales cycloid 0 , imbricate, fairly large and on the 
of the base of the first dorsal fin and often at the upper 
of the ventral fin, distinct, axillary scales with a lobate 
ost of the scales pierced or incised to receive the opening 
rge. Branchial arches all present. Pseudobranchice well- 
or 6. Pyloric appendages few. Pyloric part of the sto- 
long and arranged in numerous coils. Peritoneum black, 
developed or even strong transverse and spinous processes, 
flat. Branched rays of the caudal fin 12. 
graphical range of the rest of the family embraces all 
the tropical and temperate seas; and many of the spe- 
cies are recognised visitors of brackish or even fresh 
water. These visits are not paid, however, as in the 
case of the true Anadromous fishes, for the purpose of 
spawning, but in search of food. The usual food of 
these fishes consists of various minute animals 6 and 
decomposing substances which they search for at the 
bottom, rooting up the mud or sand or among the 
seaweed. The buccal and pharyngeal apparatus are 
also specially adopted to this purpose. The snout, 
which is usually very short, is furnished on each side, 
a L. c., p. 456. 
6 Smithson. Misc. Coll., No. 247, p. 13. 
c Sometimes (in exotic forms) the anal fin contains 11 or 12 branched rays. 
d The third of these rays may sometimes, however, be branched. 
e In most cases, however, the scales are rough (granulated) at the surface, and in some Indian fresh-water species of the genus Mugil, 
according to Day, this granulation may pass into marginal spines, the scales thus becoming ctenoid. 
f From 24 to 26, according to Day. 
g Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., tome XI, p. 1 : Mugil, Cestrceus, Dajaus, Nestis. 
h Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish.., vol. Ill, p. 409: Mugil , Agonostoma (= Cestrceus + Dajaus, + Nestis ), Myxus. 
1 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1863, p. 169: Chcenomugil, Rhinomugil. 
i Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. VII, p. 261 : Querimana. 
k In the stomach of Mugil chelo Thompson (Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 103) found chiefly small shellfish. 
