The “Trifurcated Hake,” R. trifurcus, not uncommon on the coasts of Northern Europe.
Bregmaceros.—Body fusiform, compressed posteriorly, covered with cycloid scales of moderate size. Two dorsal fins; the anterior reduced to a single long ray on the occiput; the second and the anal much depressed in the middle; ventrals very long, composed of five rays. Teeth small.
Fig. 249.—Bregmaceros macclellandii.
A dwarf Gadoid, the only one found at the surface between the Tropics. B. macclellandii scarcely exceeds three inches in length, is not uncommon in the Indian Ocean, and has found its way to New Zealand; specimens have been picked up in mid-ocean.
Murænolepis.—Body covered with lanceolate epidermoid productions, intersecting each other at right angles like those of a Freshwater-eel. Vertical fins confluent, no caudal being discernible; an anterior dorsal fin is represented by a single filamentous ray; ventral fins narrow, composed of several rays. A barbel. Jaws with a band of villiform teeth; palate toothless.
One species (M. marmoratus) from Kerguelen’s Land.
Chiasmodus.—Body naked; stomach and abdomen distensible. Two dorsal fins and one anal; a separate caudal; ventral fins rather narrow, with several rays. Upper and lower jaws with two series of large pointed teeth, some of the anterior being very large and movable; teeth on the palatine bones, but none on the vomer. Chin without barbel.
This Gadoid (Ch. niger, Fig. [111], p. 311), inhabits great depths in the Atlantic (to 1500 fathoms). The specimen figured was taken with a large Scopeloid in its stomach.
Brosmius.—Body moderately elongate, covered with very small scales. A separate caudal, one dorsal, and one anal; ventrals narrow, composed of five rays. Vomerine and palatine teeth. A barbel.