370 
ACTINOPTERYGII. 
to their logical conclusion, the so-called Lophobranchii may be 
regarded as extremely specialised members of this suborder. 
Synopsis of Families. 
I. Gills normal, pectinated ; opercular apparatus 
complete. 
Irunk fusiform, and snout not much produced ; 
anterior vertebrae slightly elongated ; pel- 
vic fins far forwards, each with one spine 
and one or two divided rays ; a few free 
spines in front of dorsal fin ; anal with one 
anterior spine ; no scales, but frequently 
bony scutes 
Trunk elongated and snout much produced into 
a tube; anterior vertebrae slightly elon- 
gated ; pelvic fins each with one spine and 
few divided rays ; free spines in front of 
dorsal fin ; anal with one anterior spine ; 
skin with degenerate squamation or small, 
partly concealed bony plates 
Trunk elongated, and snout much produced 
into a tube ; four anterior vertebrae much 
elongated and fused together ; pelvic fins 
without spine but with five or six divided 
rays ; free spines in front of dorsal fin 
rudimentary or absent ; anal fin without 
spine ; skin naked, or with small scales . . 
Trunk laterally compressed, irregularly oblong 
or deepened, and snout much produced 
into a tube ; some anterior vertebra) 
usually elongated ; pelvic fins without 
spine but with about five divided rays ; 
anterior part of dorsal fin with few spines, 
one being excessively enlarged ; anal fin 
without spine; scales present, with bony 
scutes dorsally and ventrally 
H. Gills tufted, in form of rounded lobes ; oper- 
cular apparatus much reduced. (Lopho- 
branchii.) 
Gill-opening wide; all fins present, including 
an anterior spinous dorsal 
Gill-opening very small ; pelvic and anterior 
dorsal fins always wanting, others variable. 
GASTEItOSTEIDiE 
(Recent). 
ATJLOBHYNCHIDiE 
(p. 371). 
Fxstulaeiid^b 
(p. 373). 
CENTBISCIDiE 
(p. 377). 
Solenostomatid-® 
(p. 379). 
SYNGNATHrDA3 
(p. 380). 
