ESOCIDJE. 
base of the caudal fin, while the characteristic great development of 
the pectoral fins is not shown:—• 
P. 6002. Fish 0'03o in length, showing dorsal aspect. Leiuis Coll. 
P. 9411. More imperfect specimen, dorsal aspect, of same size. 
Egerton Coll. 
The so-called Engraulis evolans., Ag. {sujiva., p. 133), with a 
forked tail, is also referred to Eooocoetoides by Kramberger, Djela 
Jugoslav. Akad. vol. xvi. (1895), p. 39. 
Family ESOCID^. 
Supraoccipital bone extending forwards to the frontals and 
separating the parietals in the median line ; otic region prominent 
and squamosal reduced. Mandibular suspensorium inclined forwards, 
but gape large and dentition powerful; symplectic bone present; 
premaxiUge relatively small and separated by the ethmoidal 
rostrum; maxiUa forming the greater part of the upper-^border 
of the mouth. Opercular apparatus complete, with 12, to 20 
branchiostegal rays and no gular plate; gill-opening very wide. 
Abdominal vertebrae without transverse processes ; ribs not com¬ 
pletely encircling abdominal cavity. Intermuscular bones present. 
Pectoral arch without precoracoid process. A single dorsal fin, 
more or less remote, without adipose dorsal. Trunk covered with 
cycloid scales, which frequently extend over the opercular apparatus 
and cheeks. 
Esocc is the only known genus of this family, existing in the 
freshwaters of the northern temperate regions. The common pike 
{E. Indus, Linn.) occurs in Europe, Asia, and North America. 
Genus ESOX (Artedi), Cuvier. 
[Eegne Animal, vol. ii. 1817, p. 183.] 
Head depressed, but trunk elongate and more or less laterally 
compressed. Premaxilla with minute teeth; maxilla toothless, 
with one supramaxillary bone; the extended vomer and pterygo¬ 
palatine arcade with clustered, recurved, pointed teeth; mandible 
with a single series of recurved, pointed teeth, small in front, 
very large in the middle of each side, large behind. Vertebrae 
approximately 60 in number, one third being caudal. Dorsal and 
anal fins about as deep as long, directly opposed ; caudal fin forked, 
scales small or of moderate size ; lateral line conspicuous. 
