BERTCID^. 
385 
articulated rays ; dorsal and anal fins rvith anterior spines, which 
are usually not so numerous as the articulated rays. Squamation 
more or less regular and continuous, sometimes with a few enlarged 
scutes ; lateral line conspicuous. 
All the known Berycidae are marine, and most of the existing 
genera live at considerable depths, while many are typical members 
of the deep-sea fauna. 
Synoi^sis of Extinct Genera and Genera represented hy Extinct 
Sjpecies. 
I. Dorsal fin undivided. 
A. With few crowded spines in front. 
Vertebrae 10-|-14; anal fin much ex¬ 
tended ; scales ctenoid, none enlarged. 
Vertebrae 12-1-16 or 18; anal fin short- 
based ; scales ctenoid, enlarged along 
lateral line . 
Vertebrae 12-{-14; anal fin moderately 
extended; scales thin and cycloid, none 
enlarged . 
Vertebrae 12-|-16 or 18; anal fin ex¬ 
tended ; scales small, thick, and 
ctenoid, none enlarged.. 
B. With anterior spines more or less spaced. 
Dorsal fin-spines o to 9, anal 3 to 5 ; 
scales large and ctenoid . .;. 
Dorsal fin-spines 14, anal 7 ; scales small 
and cycloid . 
Dorsal fin-spines about 12, anal 4 ; scales 
thin and ctenoid . 
II. Spinous portion of dorsal fin separated from 
articulated portion. 
Preoperculum merely serrated, without 
spine. 
Preoperculum with large spine at angle . 
Beryx (p. 385).- 
SphenocepTialus (p. 387). 
Acrogaster 388). 
Pycnosterinx (p. 391). 
Hoplopteryx (p. 396). 
Dinopteryx (p. 406).. 
Homonotus (p. 407). 
Myripristis (p. 410).. 
Holoceiitrum (p. 412). 
Genus BERYX (Artedi), Cuvier. 
[Eegne Animal, ed. 2, vol. ii. 1829, p. 151.] 
Trunk laterally compressed, but not much deepened ; abdomen 
flattened, not carinated. Frontal region of skuU deeply ridged for 
mucus-cavities ; cleft of mouth oblique, and jaws with very minute ^ 
teeth; orbit much enlarged; preoperculum without spine, only 
finely serrated. Vertebrae about 10 in the abdominal, 14 in the 
caudal region. Pelvic fins with one spine and 7 or more articulated 
PART IV, 2 c 
