Fig. 255.—Scale of Macrurus cœlorhynchus.
Fig. 256.—Scale from the lateral line of Macrurus australis.
This family, known a few years ago from a limited number of examples, representing a few species only, proves to be one which is distributed over all oceans, occurring in considerable variety and great abundance at depths of from 120 to 2600 fathoms. They are, in fact, Deep-sea Gadoids, much resembling each other in the general shape of their body, but differing in the form of the snout and in the structure of their scales. About forty species are known, of which many attain a length of three feet. They have been referred to the following genera:—
Fig. 257.—Macrurus australis.
Macrurus.—Scales of moderate size; snout produced, conical; mouth inferior.
Coryphænoides.—Scales of moderate size; snout obtuse, obliquely truncated; cleft of the mouth lateral.
Macruronus.—Scales of moderate size, spiny; snout pointed; mouth anterior and lateral, with the lower jaw projecting.