218 MALACOPTERYGII. — ESOCID^. 
Generally the body is more or less lengthened, i 
somewhat flattened on the summit of the head, li 
and along the back : the mouth is commonly large, 
and frequently armed with formidable teeth. The 
intestine is short, and destitute of cceca; the swim- 
ming bladder is present. 
About a hundred and twenty species consti- 
tute this Family ; few of which are European. 
They are scattered, however, over the waters of 
both hemispheres ; some are inhabitants of lakes 
and rivers, many are oceanic, and most are marine. 
They fall into two subordinate groups, Pikes and 
Flying-flshes. 
1. Belonina, In this group, containing the 
Pikes, Gar-flshes, &c., the pectorals are of small 
size ; the body is more or less lengthened ; the 
muzzle much developed, either in breadth or 
length ; the mouth widely cleft, and armed with 
numerous teeth. Great voracity is characteristic 
of these Ashes. Beside the Pike, presently to be 
noticed, the most interesting forms in this division 
are the Gar-Ashes (of which the British seas pre- 
sent three examples), remarkable for their length- 
ened eel-shaped bodies, and the excessive prolon- 
gation of one or both of their jaws into slender 
horny spears. Another singular genus is Stomias^ 
whose widely cleft mouth is set with sharp and 
curved teeth, so enormously long, that when the 
mouth is shut, they project above and below, like 
immense tusks. In other respects also this is a 
curious form* 
2. ExoccBtina, Here the body is herring-shaped, 
but broader on the back : the pectorals are greatly 
enlarged, as are frequently the other flns also: 
the mouth is small, obliquely cleft ; the teeth few 
