1115 . 
Family Lophotidae 
Body elongated, ribbon like. Mouth feebly protractile. Teeth 
numerous, very small. Skeleton moderately well ossified. Post temporal 
Simple. Ribs small, slender or absent. Pseudobranchia© present. Lower 
pharyngeals toothless. Air .bladder present. Scales absent. Dorsal 
extends from head to end of tail, front rays prolonged. Anal very short. 
Caudal small, undivided. Ventrals very small, with 4 or 5 rays, or 
absent. Vent far postmedian. 
Ribbon fishes apparently live in lesser depths than the 
Traohipteridae. They have a more firmly ossified skeleton and their 
flesh is more solid. 
Analysis of Genera 
Front profile of head nearly vertical, straight. I,opJhotiis . 
a# Front of head extended far forwards in advance of snout% 
Eumecichthys* 
