457 
c2. Gill openings inferior, very close together, 
apparently confluent; branchiostegal rays 
v 
abbreviated behind; head conic; tongue 
small; hind nostril before eye. 
Synaphobranchidae• 
Scales entirely absent. 
f . Vent median or premedian. 
1 
g . Tip of tail with more or less distinct 
fin, dorsal and anal confluent 
arount it; tail sometimes ends in 
long filament; color brown, blackish 
or silvery, fins of ten black border¬ 
ed. 
h . Hind nostril entirely without tube., 
placed entirely above upper lip. 
i 1 . Vent far behind gill openings. 
Snout conic, moderate to elongate, 
often with strong or well devel¬ 
oped dentition. 
k~. Pectoral fins well developed. 
Body not elevated so greatest 
depth premedially. 
Tongue wide, largely free an¬ 
teriorly and on sides; no 
canines; branchial openings 
in pharynx wide slits. 
Leptocephalidae• 
■■■■ 
