ESOCIDyE. 
287 
base of the caudal fin, while the characteristic great development of 
the pectoral fins is not shown : — 
P. 6002. Fish 0*035 in length, showing dorsal aspect. Lewis Coll. 
P- 9411. More imperfect specimen, dorsal aspect, of same size. 
Egerton Coll. 
The so-called Engraulis evolans , Ag. {supra, p. 133), with a 
°rked tail, is also referred to Exoccetoides by Kramberger, Djela 
Jugoslav. Akad. vol. xvi. (1895), p. 39. 
Family ESOCID^E. 
Supraoecipital bone extending forwards to the frontals and 
separating the parietals in the median line ; otic region prominent 
and squamosal reduced. Mandibular suspensorium inclined forwards, 
but gape large and dentition powerful ; symplectic bone present ; 
Prernaxilloe relatively small and separated by the ethmoidal 
rostrum; maxilla forming the greater part of the upper border 
°f the mouth. Opercular apparatus complete, with 12 to 20 
branchiostegal rays and no gular plate ; gill-opening very wide. 
Abdominal vertebrae without transverse processes ; ribs not com- 
pletely encircling abdominal cavity. Intermuscular bones present. 
Pectoral arch without precoracoid process. A single dorsal fin, 
m °re or less remote, without adipose dorsal. Trunk covered with 
cloid scales, which frequently extend over the opercular apparatus 
and cheeks. 
E&ox is the only known genus of this family, existing in the 
fresh waters of the northern temperate regions. The common pike 
(■®. Lucius, Linn.) occurs in Europe, Asia, and North America. 
Genus ESOX (Artedi), Cuvier. 
[Regne Animal, vol. ii. 1817, p. 183.] 
Hoad depressed, but trunk elongate and more or less laterally 
compressed. Premaxilla with minute teeth; maxilla toothless, 
wit h one supram axillary bone ; the extended vomer and pterygo- 
palatine arcade with clustered, recurvod, pointed teeth ; mandible 
w ith a single series of recurved, pointed teeth, small in front, 
Ver y large in the middle of each side, large behind. Vertebral 
approximately 60 in number, one third being caudal. Dorsal and 
ana -l fins about as deep as long, directly opposed ; caudal fin forked. 
8 cales small or of moderate size ; lateral line conspicuous. 
