BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
Synentognathi (the gars, halfbeaks, and flying fishes). 
cc. Pectoral fins inserted rather high on sides, on or near the axis of the body; lateral 
line usually placed abnormally low on the sides, frequently along the edge of the 
abdomen; body very elongate; vertebne numerous (45 to 70). 
I. Snout not in the shape of a tube; body covered with scales. 
mm. Both jaws produced, forming a beak, each jaw with a band 
of sharply pointed teeth; pectoral fins normal. 
n. Dorsal and anal fins single, not followed by detached 
finlets Belonidx, p. 147 
nn. Dorsal and anal fins followed by a series of four to six 
detached finlets Scomber esocidas, p. 151 
wm. Upper jaw short, the lower much produced (in Cheaspeake 
specimens); pectoral fins normaL .Hemiramphidx, p. 152 
mmm. Jaws normal, neither produced (in adult); pectoral fins 
greatly enlarged, used as organs of flight 
Exocoetidx, p. 154 
II. Snout greatly produced, forming a long tube, terminating in a 
small mouth; scales wanting; bony plates on various parts of 
the body; caudal fin forked, the middle ray produced into a 
long filament Fistulariidx (cornet fishes), p. 186 
bb. Adipose fin present. 
Nematognathii (the catfishes). 
Iniomi (the lantern fishes). 
o. Body without true scales (naked in Chesapeake speci- 
mens); anterior part of head with one or more pairs 
of whiskers; dorsal and pectoral fins each with a strong 
spine^ 
p. Nostrils close together, neither with a barbel; ventral 
fins with 6 rays Ariidx (sea catfishes), p. 127 
pp. Nostrils far apart, the posterior one with a barbel; 
ventral fins with eight or nine rays 
Ameiuridx (horned pouts), p. 129 
oo. Body with cycloid scales; head without whiskers; head 
and snout depressed; mouth very large; premaxillaries 
alone forming margin of upper jaw; fins without 
spines; caudal forked . Synodontidx (lizard fishes), p. 130 
aa. Two dorsal fins, the anterior with spines only, the posterior chiefly of soft rays; no 
adipose. 
q. Pectoral fins entire, no free rays. 
r. Head not pikelike; the jaws not produced; teeth 
small or wanting; lateral line obsolete, 
s. First dorsal with three to nine flexible spines; 
anal fin with a single weak spine 
Atherinidx (silversides) , p. 187 
ss. First dorsal with four stiff spines; anal fin with 
three stiff spines (two in very young) 
Mugilidx (mullets), p. 192 
rr. Head pikelike; the jaws produced; teeth strong; 
lateral line present 
Sphyrxnidx (barracudas), p. 197 
qq. The lowermost rays of pectorals free and feelerlike i 
or barbellike Polynemidx (threadfins), p. 199 j 
