402 
KAMAKICHI KISfflNOÜYE : 
tais lies directly under the skin. Occipital crest low and small. Splienotic 
and opistliotic not visible at the dorsal surface of the skull. The exclusion of 
the opisthotic from the dorsal surface of the skull is quite the same as in the 
Caraugidae. Accessory lateral ridges are found on the dorsal surface of the skull. 
Occipital condyle is remarkably hollow. Paroccipital condyles are oblique, turn¬ 
ed externally, and are separated from each other by the foramen magnum 
Articulating facets of the skull with the atlas are on both sides of the foramen 
magnum and do not form a part of the margin of the foramen. Vertebrae 
generally 31 in number, they differ but little from each other in form, size, 
different processes, etc. No transverse process. Lateral ridges in the anterior 
vertebrae pass gradually to the ventral ridges in the vertebrae of the posterior 
region. 
First vertebra, the atlas, is remarkable in having a pair of large, articulating 
processes projecting, instead of declining obliquely backward, and also iu having 
the neural process attached to the centrum (fig. 30). In precaudal vertebrae the 
neural canal is entirely covered with an arching septum to protect the spinal 
cord, and is separated from the ligament of the vertebral column, occupying the 
dorsal part of the neural canal. Tire neural process of the precaudal vertebrae 
is more flexible and more feeble than that of the caudal vertebrae. In the caudal 
vertebrae prezygapophyses and the anterior ventral processes are especially well 
developed. The last vertebra and the hypural bones are not consolidated to¬ 
gether. No auxiliary intermuscular bones are found in the cephalic region. Ribs 
are not much compressed and hang down the abdominal wall. Pelvic girdle 
very small. Antero-inferior corner of the dorsal flattened part of the hyomandi- 
bular is free and rounded (fig. B). The free trenchant edge of the palatine is 
armed with a row of teeth in the genus Scomber. In the lower piece of the 
post-clavicle we distinguish the broad proximal part with a short slender anterior 
process, and a long slender distal part. Ethmoid is narrow and produced anteri¬ 
orly beyond the paired lateral processes. The basibranchial chain is narrow, 
laterally compressed, elongated, and nearly straight. 
This family' is more or less related to the Carangiclae, in the presence of 
the adipose eye-lids, free spines before the anal fin, transversely articulated fin- 
rays, and opercle with a dorsal notch, narrow subopercle, etc. But the family 
is distinguished from the Carangidae in wanting characters of the Perciform 
