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Subclass I. TELEOSTEI. 
“ Eishes with ossified skeleton and completely 
separated vertebrae ; the posterior extremity of the 
vertebral column either long, or covered with bony 
plates. Bulb of the aorta simple, with two opposite 
valves at the origin ; branchise fi’ee. 
Order I. ACANTHOPTEEYOII. 
“ Part of the rays of the dorsal, anal, and ventral 
fins not articulated, forming spines. The inferior 
pharyngeal bones separated. Air-bladder, if present, 
without pneumatic duct. 
BEBYCIDAi. 
Eorm of body oblong or rather elevated, com- 
pressed ; eyes lateral, large ; cleft of mouth extend- 
ing on the sides of the muzzle, more or less oblique ; 
villiform teeth in both the jaws, and generally on 
the palate. Eight or four branchiostegals. Oper- 
cular bones more or less armed. Scales ctenoid, 
seldom bony, or wmnting. Ventral fins thoracic, 
with more than five soft rays ; in one genus with 
less. Caeca pylorica in increased number. 
“ Tropical and temperate seas.” 
I have till now found no sorts of this family in the Melbourne 
waters, but several inhabit the Australian seas, particularly in 
those that bathe the northern shores of the Continent. 
