39 2 
SPINY-FINNED GROUP. 
of moderate size, and the caudal vertebrse unusually numerous. While the 
majority of these fishes are confined to the northern temperate seas, a few extend 
into the Indian Ocean and as far south as Penang. 
The remarkable fishes known as hairy-backs constitute another 
Hairy-Backs. gma ^ £ am jjy ( Trichonotidce ) distinguished from the last by the 
jugular position of the pelvic fins, which are in front of the pectorals; there being 
one or two spineless dorsal fins, an elongate anal fin, which is also spineless, and 
no papillae in the neighbourhood of the vent. The typical genus is represented by 
a single species ( Trichonotus setiger) from the Oriental seas, characterised by the 
first few rays of the single dorsal fin being isolated and more or less elongate, and 
likewise by the lower jaw exceeding the upper in length. The New Zealand 
thorny-nose ( Hemerocoetes acanthorhynchus) represents a second genus, differing 
NEW ZEALAND THOENY-NOSE. 
from the last by all the rays of the long dorsal being in juxtaposition, by the upper 
jaw being longer than the lower, and the presence of horny processes on the 
muzzle. These fishes are hot unfrequently found floating on the surface of the 
ocean at a considerable distance from land. 
The most remarkable representatives of a third small family 
Chirus L • • • • 
(Chiridai) of this group constitute the genus Chirus, which is peculiar 
in having several lateral lines, the number of these varying in the different species. 
The family differs from the two preceding ones in that there is a bony stay con¬ 
necting the preopercular with the infraorbital ring; while it is further distinguished 
by the single dorsal having its spinous and soft portions of nearly equal length; 
the anal being nearly equal in length to the soft dorsal, and the pelvics thoracic in 
position, with one spine and five rays. The compressed and oblong body is scaled, 
the cleft of the mouth lateral, and the teeth are weak. All the members of the 
family are small littoral fishes, inhabiting both sides of the Northern Pacific; the 
